Ryanair at the Center of Discussions: Ticket Price Reductions and Onboard Alcohol Issue
Ryanair passengers can expect good news: ticket prices may decrease by 5-10% by the end of the year. This statement was made by the airline's CEO at the recent annual shareholders' meeting in Dublin. The reduction in prices is due to overall operational improvements and increased passenger flow. This is a positive signal for those planning their travels in the coming months, especially given the rising costs of other services.
Alcohol Onboard: Issues and Challenges
At the same time, attention is drawn to another issue that has become relevant this summer – alcohol abuse by passengers onboard. Michael O'Leary, known for his straightforward statements, has called on airports to limit the number of alcoholic drinks that can be purchased before flights. In his opinion, this could reduce the number of incidents caused by intoxicated passengers behaving inappropriately during flights.
However, this call has drawn criticism, particularly from airport bar owners. For instance, the founder of the Wetherspoons chain, Tim Martin, pointed out that Ryanair itself offers discounts on strong drinks during flights, which makes their stance on the issue controversial. Notably, a recent Ryanair flight from Manchester to Ibiza was forced to make an unscheduled landing in France due to disorderly behavior from intoxicated passengers.
The Airline’s Future Actions
When asked why Ryanair does not impose alcohol sales restrictions on its own flights, O'Leary stated that the airline is willing to consider this if it helps solve the problem. However, he emphasized that the main challenge is controlling the situation at the airport, where, according to him, most of the problems begin. Ryanair already refuses to serve alcohol to passengers who the crew believes are heavily intoxicated, but this is not enough to prevent incidents onboard.
The reduction in ticket prices and measures aimed at improving onboard safety will certainly attract the attention of travelers. However, the issue of alcohol abuse remains a significant problem that requires a comprehensive approach, including measures at airports and onboard the aircraft.