UK Government Considers National Blacklist for Disruptive Airline Passengers

Labour ministers are exploring a central database that would let UK airlines share information on passengers banned for drunken or abusive conduct. The Home Office and Department for Transport are examining the proposal, which would prevent banned individuals from simply switching carriers.

Current data protection rules prevent airlines from sharing customer information, even when criminal offences have occurred. One option under review would have the Government maintain the database and notify airlines when a listed passenger attempts to book travel.

Incidents involving drunk, violent or disruptive passengers rose from 390 in 2019 to 1,245 in 2023, according to Civil Aviation Authority figures. Annual totals have stayed above 1,000 since then. In February a fight on a Jet2 flight from Antalya to Manchester forced the aircraft to divert to Brussels.

Two months later an intoxicated passenger on another Jet2 service from Turkey to London Gatwick verbally and physically assaulted cabin crew, striking a 60-year-old woman during the incident.

Tim Alderslade, head of Airlines UK, described a national blacklist as "an important next step" in tackling the most serious cases. A Government source told the Daily Mail the proposals are not intended to stop travellers from having a drink before flying.

A YouGov poll of more than 5,000 adults last month found three-quarters supported the idea, while 11 per cent opposed it. Ministers are expected to meet aviation industry leaders later this month to discuss the plans.