Should booze be banned on flights?

Aussie airlines will continue to serve alcohol to passengers despite a series of drunken incidents. Picture: Bruce Long Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIAN airlines will continue to serve alcohol to passengers despite a series of drunken incidents resulting in planes being diverted.

Anti-alcohol organisation Drug Arm Australasia has declared its support for banning booze on planes, and even in airports.

But Qantas and Virgin Australia are both satisfied their service of alcohol is responsible and their response to out of control passengers sufficient.

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Flight crews must be trained in responsible service of alcohol. Source: News Limited

In the latest incident a Qantas plane travelling from Bangkok to Sydney was diverted to Cairns on Sunday morning after a man tried to steal alcohol from a trolley and then became loud and abusive.

Crew tried to restrain him with plastic handcuffs but he broke all four pairs on board.

It followed another incident last month on a Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Darwin which was forced to divert to Townsville when a passenger became abusive.

The diversions cost airlines tens of thousands of dollars which they can try to recover from the passengers' responsible.

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A spokeswoman for Drug Arm Australasia said the organisation would support an initiative to cease serving alcohol on planes.

"The non-supply of alcohol on flights would reduce the risk and harms associated with alcohol use and increase the safety of both passengers and crew," she said.

Under Australian aviation laws, airline flight crews must be trained in the responsible service of alcohol, but no other restrictions apply.

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said the airline had strict protocols in place and had the right to refuse service on board.

"Our policy also states that guests are unable to consume their own alcohol on board including Duty Free purchases and our crew are trained to monitor any consumption of this kind," she said.

"We continually review our practices to ensure the highest standard of safety and customer experience is maintained."

A Qantas spokesman said the vast majority of customers were responsible in their alcohol consumption.

"Offering alcohol on board our planes and in our lounges is part of Qantas' premium service and it is valued by our customers," he said.

"However we take a zero tolerance approach towards anti-social and aggressive behaviour and for any actions that could compromise the safety of anyone on board a Qantas group aircraft."