Bristol Airport is increasing its efforts to tackle disruptive behaviour. The airport has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the consequences of such behaviour.
These can include being denied boarding, an airline ban, fines of up to £80,000 and even jail for the most serious offences. In a statement, Bristol Airport said it has committed to the UK Aviation Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers and is an active member of the ‘One Too Many’ initiative, the aviation industry’s disruptive passenger awareness programme.
It said: "As Bristol Airport has seen a significant increase in passenger numbers over the last few months, the Get On Board awareness campaign will be a timely reminder to passengers of the serious consequences of disruptive activity, and reinforces the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers.
Read next: Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert team issues warning to thousands of TUI and EasyJet passengers
"Penalties can range from being denied boarding, an airline ban with fines of up to £80,000 or jail for the most serious offences."
The airport said passengers will see new warnings about disruptive behaviour posted on digital display screens in the terminal, in retail and food and drink outlets and via social media. The campaign will clearly state it is an offence to be disruptive on-board an aircraft and the consequences of customers being denied travel, it added.
The campaign will feature the strapline ‘If you’re not on board, you won’t get on board’. Richard Thomasson, head of customer operations at Bristol Airport said: “Summer is our busiest period as passengers go on a much-deserved holiday or travel to meet up with loved ones.
"We therefore want to remind those travelling through the terminal and on to the aircraft that anti-social behaviour by passengers is not accepted by the Airport or airlines and could result in passengers being refused travel. The vast majority of passengers enjoy themselves responsibly, but there are a small minority that can make flying unpleasant or unsafe for others.
“The Get On Board campaign provides a helpful reminder to passengers about the consequences of disruptive behaviour during their time at the Airport. The safety of our staff, business partners and customers is our number one priority as illustrated with our Get On Board campaign. Through coordinated involvement from the airport police, catering managers, airlines and airport’s operational teams may result in the passenger being denied boarding and subsequently missing their flight and incurring additional costs.”
The airport said the Get On Board campaign is only one of a number of measures already in place at Bristol Airport to help reduce disruptive behaviour. These include, not selling single bottles of spirits in Airside shops; double measures of spirits not served in bars; security restricting access to the Departure Lounge if passengers are disruptive or provide cause for concern.
Read next:
- Criticism as council-owned home left empty for at least a year
Empty council property left for two years to be put back into use
- Bus gate could see section of Cumberland Road closed to cars
- Major changes proposed for south Bristol shopping street
- South Bristol kids have 'never been to city centre or Suspension Bridge'
