Drunk and abusive passengers face flying ban under Labour’s national ‘blacklist’ plans

Labour ministers are drawing up plans for a nationwide blacklist that could ban drunk and abusive passengers from flying with any UK airline.The Home Office and Department for Transport are exploring the creation of a centralised database that would allow airlines to share information about disruptive travellers.At present, passengers banned by one airline can simply book with another carrier, avoiding the consequences of their behaviour.Current data protection rules prevent airlines from sharing customer information, even where criminal offences have been committed. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say One option under consideration would see the Government maintain a central database and notify airlines when a blacklisted passenger attempts to travel.Ministers are expected to meet aviation industry leaders later this month to discuss the proposals.Incidents involving drunk, violent or disruptive passengers have risen sharply in recent years, increasing from 390 in 2019 to 1,245 in 2023, according to Civil Aviation Authority figures.Annual totals have remained above 1,000 ever since.Videos of in-flight confrontations have repeatedly gone viral this year, including incidents involving threats against cabin crew and fights breaking out onboard aircraft.In February, a fight erupted on a Jet2 flight from Antalya to Manchester, forcing the aircraft to divert to Brussels.Two months later, another Jet2 service from Turkey to London Gatwick was diverted after an intoxicated passenger verbally and physically assaulted cabin crew.A 60-year-old woman was accidentally struck during the incident.FLIGHT MAYHEM - READ THE LATEST:Airport launches probe after staff shouted 'free Palestine' and racial slurs at Israeli passengersEasyJet targeted for cut-price takeover after £25million fuel cost blowJet2 passenger devastated to have 50th birthday celebrations 'snatched away' by passport rulesThe aviation industry has broadly welcomed the proposals.Phil Ward, chief operating officer at Jet2, said: We would support a Government plan for a formal scheme to share information on disruptive passengers across airlines and have been lobbying for this for some time.Tim Alderslade, head of Airlines UK, described a national blacklist as an important next step in tackling the most serious cases.Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: Action can't come soon enough to clamp down on air rage and drunk passengers.A Government source insisted the proposals were not intended to stop travellers enjoying a drink before flying.Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but anti-social behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable, the source told the Daily Mail.However, civil liberties campaigners have raised concerns about the plans.Josie Appleton, founder of the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life, said: Who decides who goes on the list, what is the benchmark, and how long would they be on the list for?Ms Appleton warned the proposals potentially sets a dangerous precedent of Government working with private companies to bar people's access to transport and services.Despite those concerns, public support appears strong.A YouGov poll of more than 5,000 adults last month found three-quarters backed the idea, while just 11 per cent opposed it.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter