‘One Too Many’ campaign against excess drinking relaunched at UK airports

Air passengers will be reminded that causing disruption to flights through excessive drinking could lead to a prison sentence, heavy fine or lifetime ban from flying as they pass through UK airports this summer.

The ‘One Too Many’ campaign against alcohol-fuelled disruption to flights, which first appeared in 2018, has been relaunched today in time for the busiest travel day of the year.

Backed by the government and industry, the campaign will alert passengers to the severe penalties for disrupting a flight.

These include a fine of up to £5,000 for causing a flight delay and up to two years in prison for disrupting a flight, with an additional penalty fee of up to £80,000 if an incident mid-air causes a diversion.

Passengers deemed unfit to fly through alcohol will be denied boarding and could face a lifetime ban from flying for causing a flight to be cancelled.

The campaign, organised by Airports UK, Airlines UK, Iata and the UK Travel Retail Forum, has been endorsed by the Department for Transport and the Home Office.

Passengers can expect to be made aware of it at more than 20 UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool and Bristol, with campaign material appearing at travel retail, food and beverage and airport duty-free outlets.

Airports UK chief executive Karen Dee said: “Airports monitor and act against any disruptive behaviour to ensure everyone’s safety.

“We urge travellers to enjoy their journeys responsibly and not ruin their holidays or the holidays of others.”

Nigel Keal, chair of the UK Travel Retail Forum, added: “It’s essential to remind everyone that the safety and comfort of all travellers and crew are paramount as the summer travel period intensifies.

“The One Too Many campaign serves as an important reminder that disruptive behaviour, fuelled by excessive drinking, will not be tolerated.”