Rising Alcohol-Related Disruptions at Airports
New data from Police Scotland, reported by Daily Record, reveals that alcohol-fueled passenger incidents at Scottish airports have nearly tripled since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, officers responded to 337 incidents where alcohol was the primary cause of disruptive behaviour.
This marks a sharp increase from 308 in 2023, 185 in 2022, and just 121 in 2019. In total, 755 disruptive passenger cases were recorded in 2024, up from 604 in 2023 and 438 in 2019.
The problem extends beyond terminals. Police were called to 104 mid-air incidents in 2024, a fivefold increase from 20 in 2019.
The majority of these occurred between May and September, the peak travel season. Edinburgh Airport recorded the highest number of in-flight incidents at 65, followed by Glasgow with 28, Aberdeen with seven, and Prestwick with four.
Health Advocates Call for Licensing Reform
Health promotion organisations are urging the government to address the lack of alcohol sales regulations at airports. As Daily Record reported, Laura Mahon of Alcohol Focus Scotland emphasised that airports and aircrafts remain exempt from licensing legislation designed to set standards for where and when alcohol is sold. She called for airside sales to be brought under Scotland’s licensing system to prevent alcohol harm and make air travel safer for both staff and passengers.
Similarly, Andrew Misell of Alcohol Change UK noted that airports often create a sense of permission for alcohol use, where people feel that normal rules do not apply. He added that aligning airports with standard alcohol licensing laws would help reduce harm and promote accountability among sellers.
These concerns reflect evidence from scientific studies, which has long highlighted that alcohol availability is one of the main drivers of alcohol harm. According to a study on “Alcohol Policy Best Buys,” policies limiting when and where alcohol can be sold are among the most effective and cost-efficient solutions to prevent alcohol-related harm. Extending such policies to airports would align with international best practices for alcohol prevention.
Industry Response and Accountability
Airport operators have acknowledged the rise in alcohol harm while asserting that such cases remain rare relative to total passenger numbers. An Edinburgh Airport spokesperson told Daily Record that the 2024 incidents represented just 0.0004% of its 15.8 million travelers. However, even a small number of alcohol-fueled disturbances can endanger safety and create lasting impacts for passengers and staff.
AGS Airports, which operates Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward abusive or disruptive behaviour. The company noted that offenders may face severe penalties, from being denied boarding or banned by airlines to potential jail time. Research supports such accountability measures, emphasising that freedom from harm should guide alcohol policy decisions, particularly in high-risk environments like airports and airplanes.
Rising Crime and Broader Safety Concerns
The Daily Record also reported that overall crime and disorder at Scottish airports rose 41% between 2022 and 2024. Police responded to 5,598 incidents last year, compared with 3,989 in 2022. Weapons confiscations increased as well, with 1,273 items, including knives and bullets, surrendered in 2024, up from 894 two years earlier. Experts, such as Dr. Stephen Wood, linked this escalation partly to alcohol availability, noting that airports are among the few places where people engage in alcohol use early in the day.
Studies clearly show that alcohol availability and unregulated sales environments amplify risks of violence, harassment, and safety incidents. In fact, media coverage of alcohol-related violence in aviation highlights that alcohol use contributes to more than one in four unruly passenger cases globally. Limiting airport alcohol sales and enforcing clear prevention policies would help reduce such risks and ensure safer travel environments.
The rise in alcohol-related airport incidents across Scotland highlights the need for comprehensive health promotion strategies. Health advocates, law enforcement, and international experts agree that placing common sense limits on the presence of alcohol in public transport hubs is a crucial step toward improving safety and wellbeing.