Ryanair Proposes Limits on Airport Alcohol Sales
Introduction
Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, has called for a ban on alcohol sales at airports during the early morning to reduce the number of disruptive passengers.
Main Body
This proposal is based on a reported increase in bad passenger behavior, which has caused about one Ryanair flight per day to be diverted. This is a significant increase compared to ten years ago. Mr. O'Leary emphasized that current UK laws allow airport bars to sell alcohol outside of standard hours, which makes it easier for passengers to become drunk before boarding. He asserted that airports are making profits while the airlines have to deal with the resulting behavioral problems. To solve these issues, the Ryanair executive suggests introducing standard licensing hours and a two-drink limit at airport bars. Although being drunk on a plane is already a crime that can lead to fines or prison, the airline is now taking more legal action. For example, in January 2025, Ryanair started legal proceedings to recover money from disruptive passengers, including a claim for 15,000 euros for a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote. However, critics argue that drinking before a flight is a common cultural habit. Some observers suggest that Ryanair may be trying to increase its own onboard sales by limiting airport options. Furthermore, they argue that stricter screenings by airline staff during boarding could prevent intoxicated people from flying without needing a total ban on airport services.
Conclusion
The situation remains a conflict between the operational needs of the airline and the current licensing rules of airports, with Ryanair using both public advocacy and legal action to address the problem.
Learning
π The 'Power-Up' Move: Moving from Simple to Sophisticated
An A2 student says: "The CEO says alcohol is a problem."
To hit B2, you need to use Reporting Verbs. Instead of using "say" for everything, you describe how someone is speaking. Look at these three distinct moves from the text:
1. The Strong Claim "He asserted that..." Use assert when someone is stating a fact confidently, especially during an argument. It sounds much more professional than "said."
2. The Highlight "Mr. O'Leary emphasized that..." Use emphasize when the speaker wants to make sure you notice a specific, important point. It's like putting a highlighter pen on a sentence.
3. The Suggestion "The executive suggests..." Use suggest when proposing a solution. Notice the structure: Suggest + [verb-ing] or Suggest + [that].
π οΈ Quick Upgrade Table
| A2 Level (Basic) | B2 Level (Bridge) | Context in Article |
|---|---|---|
| Says | Asserts | Challenging airport profits |
| Says | Emphasizes | Highlighting UK law gaps |
| Thinks/Says | Suggests | Proposing a 2-drink limit |
π‘ Pro Tip: The 'Cause and Effect' Connection
B2 speakers don't just list facts; they link them. Instead of using "and" or "so," try the phrase "resulting in" or "lead to."
- A2: Passengers drink and then they are bad. B2: Alcohol sales lead to behavioral problems.
- A2: The flight changed direction. B2: Behavior caused the flight to be diverted.