Certain UK passengers could be banned from all airlines soon

The scheme would allow airlines to share information about disruptive individuals, with the potential to bar them from travelling with any carrier.

Currently, a person banned by one airline can still book flights with another.

A government source told the BBC: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable.

“It threatens the safety of passengers and crew, and disrupts hard-earned holidays.”

Officials from the Department for Transport are due to meet airlines this month to explore how the plan could be implemented.

The proposal would involve creating a national database of disruptive passengers, co-operatively managed by the government and the airline industry.

Such a scheme would not require changes to existing laws, but there are questions around how it would operate under current data protection rules.

Passenger information cannot currently be shared between airlines under GDPR, which is why someone banned from one carrier can still fly with another.

The government source said: “There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos.

“Everyone should be able to fly without fuss.”

Disruptive behaviour has long been a concern for airlines, with criminal prosecution used in the most serious cases.

In April, a court heard how a drunken passenger forced a Ryanair pilot to abort a landing at Bristol Airport.

Stephen Blofield, 61, was jailed for 10 months after being found guilty of abusive behaviour on a flight from Krakow in November last year.

In a separate incident, Jet2 issued lifetime bans to two passengers after a mid-air brawl forced an emergency landing in Brussels.

The two men were arrested for intentional assault and battery.

Jet2 has backed the government’s proposal and said it has been calling for a national ban list for some time.

Phil Ward, chief operations officer, said: “The creation of a national database will mean that, as well as being banned from flying with us, disruptive passengers can also be banned from flying with other UK airlines.”

Airlines UK, the industry body, also supports the idea and said it will work with the government to develop the scheme.

A spokesperson said: “Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, is an important next step ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority.”

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