Ryanair is pressuring European authorities to restrict alcohol sales at airports, renewing calls to curb excessive consumption following a series of incidents involving intoxicated passengers, according to Bloomberg.

The Irish low-cost airline has proposed a maximum limit of two alcoholic beverages per passenger at airports, citing a specific incident in April 2024 that cost the airline over €15,000.

“We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks,” Ryanair stated in an announcement. “This would result in safer and better passenger behavior onboard.”

Disruptions during flights surged during the Covid-19 pandemic and remain elevated, prompting airlines and flight attendants in both Europe and the U.S. to advocate for stricter alcohol consumption rules on the ground. However, their campaigns have faced resistance from airports and bars, which profit from alcohol sales.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary remarked in August that unruly passengers pose the biggest challenge for cabin crews, particularly on routes to popular destinations like the Spanish island of Ibiza. The airline already limits alcohol sales on its flights, especially in cases of disturbances, it said on Monday.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 915 cases of unruly passengers during the first six months of 2024, including 106 alcohol-related incidents. Meanwhile, data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed one incident of passenger misconduct for every 480 flights globally in 2023, compared to one incident per 568 flights in 2022.

The April 2024 incident involved a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, which was diverted to Porto, Portugal. Nearly half of the additional costs arose from covering overnight accommodations for passengers and crew, the airline reported.

The disruptive passenger was arrested and now faces a lawsuit from Ryanair. A Portuguese court referred the case to Ireland for further proceedings.

Ryanair suggested enforcing a two-drink limit using boarding pass stamps, similar to the way duty-free sales are restricted. The airline believes this measure could significantly improve passenger behavior and reduce disruptions during flights.

The airline’s stance highlights the ongoing debate over balancing passenger enjoyment with safety, as aviation authorities and airlines strive to tackle the issue of alcohol-related incidents effectively.