UK Proposes National Database to Track Repeat Disruptive Airline Passengers

The UK government has proposed a national blacklist scheme that would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially bar them from flying with any carrier. The scheme would address cases where passengers banned by one airline can still book with another. Rowdy, problematic and drunken behaviour on flights spikes during the busy summer travel period.

Officials from the Department for Transport will meet with airlines this month to discuss how the proposal could work. The national database could be co-operatively managed by the government and the airline industry. The proposed move would not require any changes in current law.

It is not clear how the plan would work under current data protection or GDPR rules, as sharing of passenger details is not allowed under GDPR. "Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable," a government source said.

" "There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos," the government source added.

In November 2025, drunk passenger Stephen Blofield, 61, became abusive on a Ryanair flight from Krakow to Bristol airport, forcing the pilot to abort the first landing attempt. Blofield was jailed for 10 months. In February 2026, Jet2 banned two passengers for life after a mid-air brawl on a flight from Turkey to Manchester that led to an emergency landing in Brussels.

Jet2 chief operations officer Phil Ward said the airline takes a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive passenger behaviour. "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," Ward said.

Airlines UK welcomed the idea of a national ban list and said it would work with the government on developing the proposal.

"Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, is an important next step ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority," a spokesperson said.