INVERCLYDE people were probably among many caught up this summer in flights from hell caused by drunken passengers.

BBC’s Panorama has revealed 387 were arrested at British airports in the last 12 months for disruptive behaviour, an increase of 50 per cent on the previous year.

The worst routes are said to be Alicante, Ibiza and Palma. You should also avoid flying to Malaga from Prestwick on Fridays, if my experience is anything go by.

Steaming morons heading for a weekend stag party were on my plane, kicking the back of seats, spraying beer, screaming and swearing, throwing hard sweets at each other and staggering around the cabin carrying cups of booze — even when the turbulence warning sign was on.

The stressed-out cabin crew were so busy selling stuff — including drink to anyone who wanted it — that, despite our complaints, it was more than two hours before the troublemakers were warned they would be arrested at Malaga if they didn’t behave.

It’s a criminal offence to be drunk and disorderly on a plane. 

These individuals were inebriated before boarding, but that didn’t seem to bother the airline or airport.

You could ban alcohol at airports and on planes, but that would unfairly penalise decent passengers.

Cabin crews have enough to do without also policing dangerous, rowdy drunks. It’s now well beyond time that serious consideration is given to introducing air marshals on certain flights to enforce the law — and safety!