Drunk miners force full strength beer, spirits off Qantas

[Ryan N]

Drunk miners force full strength beer, spirits off Qantas
October 30, 2009 - 5:15PM

Spirits and full strength beer have been banned on intrastate Qantas flights in Western Australia because drunken mine workers have become too unruly.

New alcohol serving rules came into effect on October 26, removing full strength beer and spirits from offer on all flights within the state.

A Qantas spokeswoman on Friday said the new rules were designed to stem the number of drunken passengers on fly-in, fly-out routes to mining towns but would also apply on tourist routes.

"[The ban] had been escalated by the behaviour of mine workers," the spokeswoman said.

"Corporate companies are fully supportive of it, as are the Flight Attendants Association of Australia."

The airline said the new rules were in line with Qantas intrastate flights in all other states.

But the rules go one step further in WA by banning full strength beer and not just spirits.

The airline stopped short of removing all alcohol, leaving mid-strength beer, light beer and wine on the menu.

Before the ban, Qantas had only served 50ml spirits on Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Mount Isa, Paraburdoo, Newman and Broome flights, the spokeswoman said.

It stopped serving them on other domestic flights in the economy cabin in September last year due to a lack of demand.

AAP