Excessive alcohol consumption leads to air travel prohibition
Vacation Buzzkills: Alcohol and Airlines at Leipzig Airport
Who doesn't love a drink or two before the beginning of a much-anticipated vacation? But beware, every breezy sip could lead to an unexpected ejection from your flight. Yesterday at Leipzig Airport, the local police had a busy day escorting boozy travelers off planes.
The first incident occurred on a flight bound for Mallorca at around 6 am. A 27-year-old fellow passenger was sound asleep and unresponsive in his seat, causing quite the ruckus. The plane's pilot aborted the takeoff, and soon enough, the airport staff was on high-alert. After a thorough examination by a doctor, the overserved passenger was led away by federal police. A voluntary breath test revealed a blood alcohol content of 1.7 per thousand (which, in Germany, is considerably high). Luckily for him, he was eventually released.
Fast-forward a few hours, and another flight – this time to Funchal – was grounded. A 45-year-old man had already been causing a scene, and the airport staff detected the unmistakable stench of alcohol in the air. The pilot decided to remove the man from the flight due to his rowdy behavior and suspected intoxication. Another breath test by the police confirmed a blood alcohol level of over 3 per thousand. Off he went, escorted out of the secure area by the federal police.
To avoid a similar fate, the Federal Police Leipzig offers some friendly advice: Go ahead and have a pre-flight tipple to kick off your vacation – just remember, moderation is key. One too many can cost you more than just a hangover; the airline may charge for the aborted takeoff, while the wasted joy of your vacation remains priceless.
In Germany, there's no formal blood alcohol limit for passengers before boarding a flight. However, exhibiting disruptive behavior or signs of extreme intoxication can get you turned away. Airlines are also becoming stricter on bad behavior; for example, Europe's Ryanair imposes fines of at least €500 for misconduct, including drunkenness, and may pursue further legal action.
For a stress-free vacation takeoff, remember: Safety first! Be sensible, enjoy responsibly, and see you off on cloud nine without any unwanted diversions along the way. The Federal Police Leipzig wishes you a delightful summer vacation.
*Note: Reader discretion is advised. Drinking is not recommended for minors or people with specific health conditions. Always consume alcohol responsibly, and never drink and drive.
(Key Insights: There's no formal blood alcohol limit for passengers in Germany, but visibly intoxicated travelers may be denied boarding for safety; airlines can impose fines for drunken behavior, as in the case of Ryanair; overconsumption prior to air travel can lead to expensive consequences)
- Maintaining a relaxing lifestyle during travel doesn't exclude the need for responsible drinking, as excessive consumption may lead to unwanted incidents such as getting kicked off a flight, as seen at Leipzig Airport.
- Before indulging in the excitement of a getaway, consider the airline's increasing intolerance towards inappropriate behavior, including intoxication, and the potential financial repercussions, like Ryanair's €500 fines for such misconduct.
