Wetherspoons' boss, Sir Tim Martin, is standing his ground on the issue of pre-flight drinking at airport pubs. Recently, Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary suggested limiting passengers to just two drinks at airport bars, aiming to cut down on drunken behavior during flights. But Sir Tim says Wetherspoons pubs in airports have had no complaints from airlines or airport authorities and insists his venues manage alcohol sales responsibly.

Wetherspoons: No More Shots or Deals

Sir Tim highlighted that Wetherspoons has already taken steps to limit alcohol consumption in its airport pubs. “Years ago, we stopped selling shots and two-for-one offers at our airport locations,” he said. This means that customers won’t find any Jägerbombs or double-up drink deals on the menu. In fact, alcoholic drinks now make up only about a third of Wetherspoons’ sales at airport pubs, with coffee, tea, and soft drinks accounting for another 25%, and food making up the rest.

Coffee is Just as Popular as Beer

One surprising fact Sir Tim shared is that coffee is just as popular as beer at Wetherspoons’ airport pubs. “Coffee volumes, which include free refills, approximately match lager volumes,” he noted. This shows that not everyone is hitting the bar hard before their flight; many people are just as likely to grab a coffee and relax.

Ryanair's Call for Limits

Ryanair’s boss, Michael O’Leary, has a different view. He’s calling on the new Labour Government to impose a two-drink limit per passenger at airport bars. He argues that drunken passengers are a major problem on flights, causing disruptions and even violence. O’Leary has identified several UK airports, including Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as hot spots for rowdy behavior.

To combat these issues, Ryanair has even started searching bags of passengers flying to party destinations like Ibiza to make sure they aren’t sneaking alcohol on board. They’ve also banned water bottles on these flights because passengers have been known to fill them with vodka!

Controlled Environment

Sir Tim believes that having a controlled environment, like a pub with CCTV and trained staff, is the best way to manage alcohol consumption at airports. He stated, “Supervised consumption of alcoholic drinks in a controlled environment isn’t perfect but has considerable advantages.” In other words, it’s better to have people drink under supervision than to risk them sneaking drinks or overdoing it on their own.

He also pointed out that most incidents of drunkenness on flights occur on inbound flights from overseas, suggesting that the problem might lie more with lax controls at foreign airports rather than UK pubs.

Not Just the Pubs

It's important to note that Wetherspoons isn’t the only place selling alcohol at airports. Other venues, like airport lounges and duty-free shops, also serve drinks. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, emphasized that all venues, not just pubs, need to act responsibly. “The vast majority of passengers are able to responsibly enjoy a drink or bite to eat before taking off on their travels,” she added.

Rising In-Flight Violence

Ryanair has reported a rise in in-flight violence, with incidents now happening weekly. Some of these involve passengers fighting with each other or even assaulting cabin crew. O’Leary blames a mix of alcohol and other substances like pills and powders, especially on flights to party hotspots.

While O’Leary’s call for stricter alcohol limits is aimed at curbing these problems, Sir Tim stands by the way Wetherspoons handles pre-flight drinking. He argues that his pubs provide a safer option for travelers who want to enjoy a drink before their journey, without the chaos that can sometimes unfold at less regulated outlets.

The Debate Continues

As the debate over airport drinking continues, it’s clear that both sides have valid points. Ryanair’s push for stricter limits aims to ensure safety on flights, while Wetherspoons believes in responsible drinking within a controlled setting. For now, travelers can still enjoy a drink at Wetherspoons’ airport pubs—but don’t expect any shots or two-for-one deals anytime soon.