UK Eyes National Ban List for Rowdy Flyers

The UK government is exploring the creation of a national ban list to tackle antisocial behavior on flights. Officials from the Department for Transport are scheduled to meet with airline representatives this month to discuss the feasibility of this proposal. The aim is to establish a co-operatively managed database that would prevent repeat offenders from booking flights with other airlines.

Currently, data protection rules under GDPR may hinder such information sharing, allowing disruptive passengers to fly with different carriers even after being banned by one. The government acknowledges the need to address this issue effectively, with a spokesperson stating that existing laws are in place but exploring better ways to 'crack down on people who persistently cause chaos' is essential.

Cases like Stephen Blofield's, who was jailed for 10 months after an incident on a flight from Krakow to Bristol last November, and Jet2's lifetime ban on two passengers following a mid-air brawl in February, underscore the severity of disruptive behavior. Airlines UK has expressed support for the proposal, calling a national ban list an 'important next step' to protect the majority of passengers from disruptions caused by a few.