- Irish aviation industry unites to tackle unruly passenger behaviour with Cork Airport among key partners as incidents rise dramatically
Aviation leaders across Ireland, including Cork Airport, are stepping up efforts to combat disruptive passenger behaviour as new figures reveal an alarming 80% surge in incidents reported to Dublin Airport Garda station in 2025 compared to the entire previous year.
The #NotOnMyFlight campaign, which launched in 2024, has gained significant traction with major aviation unions F贸rsa and the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) joining the industry-wide initiative. With over half a million passengers expected to travel through Irish airports this bank holiday weekend, the timing couldn’t be more critical.
Statistics from An Garda S铆och谩na paint a concerning picture of escalating disruption. More than 30 incidents have already been reported to Dublin Airport Garda station in 2025, representing nearly an 80% increase on 2024’s full-year figures. This follows a 50% spike in 2024 compared to 2023, suggesting the problem is accelerating despite industry efforts.
The three most common incidents this year have been offensive behaviour onboard aircraft, obstructing or assaulting authorised officers, and intoxication onboard aircraft. Recent coverage on RT脡’s Crimecall has highlighted how such behaviour endangers passengers and crew whilst causing flight delays and missed connections.
Carol Sharkey, Ryanair’s Chief Risk Officer, emphasised the airline’s commitment:
“The safety and wellbeing of our crew and passengers is Ryanair’s No.1 priority, and we will continue to work closely with An Garda S铆och谩na, the IAA, Irish Airports and the wider aviation industry to eradicate all forms of disruptive passenger behaviour.”
Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa which operates Dublin and Cork airports, acknowledged the challenge:
“We’ve great passengers at Dublin and Cork airports, but like every airport in the world there’s sometimes a few bad eggs whose behaviour impacts everyone. We want our airports to be enjoyable and stress-free for passengers.”
The campaign’s expansion to include aviation unions underscores the frontline impact on airport and airline staff. Katie Morgan, F贸rsa’s National Secretary, stressed the safety concerns: “Our members in airlines and airports are often the first responders to unruly passenger behaviour. Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.”
From a pilot’s perspective, Captain Daniel Langan, IALPA Vice President, explained the operational challenges:
“Unruly passengers diminish safety both in the cabin and the flight deck by increasing the workload of pilots and crew. Sometimes this results in the pilot having to decide to divert the aircraft and deliver the unruly passenger into police custody.”
Paul Cleary, Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Metropolitan Region An Garda S铆och谩na, issued a stark warning:
“There is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour. Incidents of unruly conduct in airports and on planes can have serious consequences for both passengers and staff.”
The #NotOnMyFlight campaign focuses on four key objectives: ensuring passengers understand the serious consequences of unruly behaviour, supporting staff through enhanced training, facilitating enforcement including bans and prosecutions, and improving communication throughout the passenger journey.
As Cork residents prepare for busy travel schedules, Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, reminded passengers: “Respectful behaviour is not just expected – it’s essential to ensuring a safe and positive flying experience for everyone.”
The campaign includes major Irish aviation stakeholders from Cork Airport and Kerry Airport to Aer Lingus and Ryanair, representing a united front against disruptive behaviour that threatens the safety and comfort of Ireland’s travelling public.