Overview

• Introduced on June 12, the levy applies to any passenger whose misbehaviour results in removal from the aircraft.
• The move follows a January lawsuit seeking £12,500 in civil damages and CEO Michael O’Leary’s prior calls to limit airport alcohol to curb aggression.
• The Civil Aviation Authority warns disruptive conduct can force plane diversions and expose passengers to criminal charges or diversion costs.
• The FAA’s zero-tolerance policy has logged 5,973 unruly incidents in 2021, 2,102 in 2024 and 699 by mid-2025, with fines up to $37,000 per violation.
• Social media users largely backed the fine as a necessary deterrent, though some argue £500 may not cover the full cost of flight disruptions.