Arrests at Scotland’s busiest airport have doubled in the last three years due in part to increasing numbers of drunken passengers and holidaymakers. Shock figures released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information show there were 42 arrests at Edinburgh Airport in 2023, compared to 67 in 2024 and 84 last year.
Anti Social offences – which can include people being drunk and disorderly – also doubled from 15 incidents in 2023 to 30 last year. There was also a big increase in the ‘crimes against society’ category which can include drugs and weapons offences with an increase from 10 cases in 2023 to 61 last year.
Overall the numbers of offences recorded by Police Scotland at Edinburgh Airport increased from 70 in 2023 to 164 last year. Yesterday, there was calls for stricter rules on alcohol sales at airports to avoid drunken holidaymakers causing chaos.
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The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) which represents the country’s pubs and bars want airports to be subject to the same strict regulations as other licensed premises. A spokesman said: “There should be a real look at their opening hours.
“The same rules and regulations should apply. I think we have all noticed if we are leaving on a very early flight in the morning there are people drinking and unfortunately some over do it.
“It is very rarely that you see people refused alcohol in airports. The consensus is that they are outwith normal licensing laws which are very strict for pubs in the High Street and other areas.
“Airports should certainly be held to the same account as pubs everywhere else.”
The SLTA is particularly concerned at how early airport pubs are able to open compared to other bars. The spokesman added: “People aren’t prepared for early morning drinking. They don’t seem to do it at any other time or place.
“So all of that put together can create problems. There are people who drink quite a lot before they get on a plane and it doesn’t hit them until they get onboard.
“If you ask for a drink on a plane they are often a lot stronger than you would get in a pub and people aren’t used to that and it creates real problems in the air for obvious reasons. You would imagine drinks licensing should be lot stricter in airports rather than the other way.”
The SLTA spokesman also questions at what point airport pubs are subject to normal licensing board controls. He added: “It is not as strict as it should be.
“Who is granting the opportunity to open at six in the morning? We should be very careful about selling alcohol in airports and it doesn’t seem to be the case.
“You can see them all drinking at seven in the morning at the start of their holidays and people are not used to drinking that early and for that period of time. It should be the same controls as any other licensed premises.”
Last month Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called for a ban on airport bars serving early-morning pints. He said his staff were having to divert planes almost every day because of drunk or disruptive passengers.
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Anna Bowles, Head of Consumer at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Passengers who are rude or aggressive can be highly disruptive and distressing for cabin crew and fellow travellers. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and can pose a risk to passenger and aircraft safety.
“Disruptive passengers can lead to planes being diverted and, where this happens, the disruptive passengers themselves risk having to pay the cost of the diversion. They can also face criminal charges with severe penalties or even prison sentences.”
Last year aviation expert Dr Stephen Wood told the Daily Record he believed the rise in offences in airports across the UK was in part down to the availability of alcohol in airports. The principal lecturer said improved technology and scanning equipment means that airport police are also able to detect more crimes.
A spokesperson for Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems said: “A doubling of arrests and antisocial behaviour offences recorded as alcohol-related at Scotland’s busiest airport in just three years should be a wake up call, especially as alcohol could be a factor in many incidents not recorded as such.
“We would urge airport operators and the Scottish Government to look seriously at the role alcohol availability plays in driving these incidents and to consider measures such as restricting the hours of sale and limiting the volume of alcohol that can be consumed airside.
“The safety, health and wellbeing of passengers and staff must come first.”
Detective Superintendent Derek Callan, Head of Border Policing Command at Police Scotland said: “We work across Scotland’s airports to prevent and detect criminal activity, tackle anti-social behaviour whilst maintaining national security. Any increase in detection is due to the proactive partnership working with key agencies.
“We are focused on disrupting serious and organised crime, the threat of terrorism and discouraging those who get involved in anti-social behaviour. Whilst the airports have bespoke licensing arrangements in place, we work closely with airport partners through initiatives such as Campus Watch and ‘Abuse Doesn’t Fly’ to demonstrate our commitment to dealing with any instances of unacceptable behaviour, including alcohol misuse, although thankfully these cases are rare, with the vast majority of airport users behaving responsibility.”
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “The reported incidents make up 0.002% of our 16.9 million passengers in 2025, reflecting the effectiveness of our close collaboration with Police Scotland and our campus partners. We continue to work closely to maintain a safe and secure environment for all.”
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Last October the Daily Record reported how police call outs drunken airport incidents had treble across the country. In 2024, they attended 337 at Scotland’s four major airports where alcohol was a “primary cause” in passenger misbehaviour. That compared with 121 in 2019.
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