Police announce plan to breathalyse passengers leaving airport

Police plan to breathalyse some passengers driving off after landing at Aberdeen International Airport, in a trial scheme to tackle drink-driving among holidaymakers.

Operation Safe Landing is a joint initiative between border policing and road policing officers and could be rolled out to other areas. Those who choose to drink alcohol on their flight are being urged to make arrangements for safe onward travel from the airport to their final destination.

There will be an increased police presence at the airport and officers will engage with arriving passengers, conduct roadside checks and carry out breathalyser tests where appropriate. Border policing inspector Kelly Manson said: "We understand that for many, a drink on a flight can be part of the holiday experience.

"However, the legal drink-drive limit in Scotland is strict, and the effects of alcohol, coupled with potential travel fatigue, can significantly impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely. "Operation Safe Landing is about ensuring everyone arriving at the airport gets home safely, without putting themselves or others at risk.

"This pilot project will be evaluated with a view to rolling it out to other areas." Police Scotland detected 8,568 drink and drug-driving offences in 2024/25. The penalties for drink-driving in Scotland include a minimum 12-month driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000, a criminal record and, in some cases, a prison sentence.

Road policing inspector Steve Manson said: "Drink-driving kills and seriously injures people. The decision can be life changing for you and the people around you.

"We're asking everyone to take responsibility and help us save lives." Read more:Job stress driving UK workers to drinkAirport closed after 'fireball' plane crashExtreme UK weather 'becoming the norm' Robert Paterson, head of operations at Aberdeen International Airport, welcomed the launch of the scheme, saying passenger safety is "always a key focus for us". "We understand that holidays are a time to relax, but it's important that everyone considers how they'll get home safely," he added..