Minister to review UK airport alcohol sales

A crackdown on the sale of alcohol at British airports is being considered by aviation minister Tariq Ahmad, who said he does not want to “kill merriment”.

At present bars and restaurants in airports can sell alcohol at any time of the day or night

Following a spate of incidents involving drunk passengers, the newly-appointed minister has announced his intention to examine the way alcohol is sold in airports.

Currently bars and restaurants in airports can sell alcohol at any time of the day or night as they are not subject to normal licensing restrictions.

Lord Ahmad told the BBC: “If you’re a young family travelling on a plane you want to go from point A to B, you don’t want to be disrupted.

“I don’t think we want to kill merriment altogether, but I think it’s important that passengers who board planes are also responsible and have a responsibility to other passengers, and that certainly should be the factor which we bear in mind.”

“In terms of specific regulations of timings of outlets [which sell alcohol] and how they operate, clearly I want to have a look at that.”

Reports reveal the minister also plans to review measures that prevent drunk passengers from boarding flights.

“I think that it’s important for the safety and security of all passengers that we ensure that regime is actually fit for purpose,” he added.