Glasgow Airport's Warning To Drunk Passengers

Passengers travelling from Glasgow Airport are being urged to drink responsibly before boarding flights as the airport steps up its zero-tolerance approach to disruption.

Last year, 125 incidents involving alcohol were dealt with by airport staff under the Campus Watch scheme, which involves check-in staff, security teams, bar and restaurant employees, retailers and airline crews.

Management said the key aim of the initiative is early intervention, with staff encouraged to report the details of any potential incident of disruptive behaviour to the airport's central control-room.

Managing director Amanda McMillan said: ``For many of our passengers, their holiday begins the moment they arrive at the airport and we want them to continue to enjoy a memorable but ultimately safe and disruption-free experience.

``Our Campus Watch initiative ensures we work closely on a daily basis with our airline partners, retailers, caterers and Police Scotland representatives by taking a rigorous and proactive approach to address, and often pre-empt incidents of disruptive behaviour at the airport.

``In 2016 we carried a record 9.4 million passengers and during this time our staff and partners dealt with 125 incidents of disruptive behaviour involving alcohol.

``While it's correct to show the numbers in context, it's also important to understand that disruptive behaviour can often disproportionately affect a large number of passengers, particularly if an incident occurs on board an aircraft.''

Other steps taken under the Campus Watch initiative include airlines making authorities aware of large group bookings and police patrols at the drop-off area ahead of potentially problematic flights.

Inspector Bob Smith, the airport police commander, said: ``Glasgow Airport has a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable or disruptive behaviour.

``Thankfully, incidents of this type are rare but when they do occur, they can delay flights, affect local businesses in the airport and ultimately cause misery to other passengers.

``It's completely understandable that people want to start their holiday with a bit of fun but passengers should drink responsibly and be fit to fly.''

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson visited the airport on Wednesday for the latest launch of the watch scheme that first started in 2013.

He said: ``Passengers can be assured that issues will be dealt with quickly and I'd like to see other airports considering how this approach might work in their own premises.''