The BBC's June Kelly: Air rage a difficult area to police

The ban on Steven Handy comes into force as delegates meet at Heathrow for a one-day UK Flight Safety Committee (UKFC) conference.

Steven Handy: Banned for life

Individual airlines already operate their own lists of unwelcome passengers - Airtours distributed the name of Ms Weir's alleged attacker to all UK carriers after Friday's assault to warn them of the danger he poses.

Mr Handy, 37, from Dover, Kent, has been bailed by a Spanish court.

Fiona Wier needed several stitches

Air stewardess Fiona Weir, 31, needed 18 stitches after a vodka bottle was smashed across her head and arm.

The UKFC is discussing how to implement a nationwide blacklist following a horrific attack on Ms Weir.

Fiona Weir: 'This man will not intimidate me'

The incident shocked the air industry into action and Transport Minister Dr John Reid is to meet airline operators to discuss the issue.

Handy was arrested at Malaga airport

The UKFC is expected to recommend a national database listing those convicted of assaults against air crew or endangering flights.

It could be used by any flight operator to stop troublemakers from travelling on aeroplanes.

The committee will also put forward a 12-point plan of action which will also include training airport staff to spot troublemakers and deny them access to planes, and moves to encourage police to arrest disruptive passengers.

British Airways has its own three-point plan. It would like to see the government initiate:

• An international effort to create unified and effective reports amongst regulators.
• An extension of jurisdiction to allow foreign police forces to take action over incidents on British aircraft in international air space.
• Research into the causes of air rage.

Cpt Steve Kerr: Challenges to authority more common

Chairman of the UK Flight Safety Committee, Captain Steve Kerr, said "air rage" incidents were on the increase.

He added that a straw poll conducted last year revealed 186 incidents over a month.

These ranged from people being denied boarding passes to incidents of threatening behaviour, he said.

The BBC's Chris West: "Steven Handy didn't like the way the stewardess spoke to him"

"The challenge to any level of authority seems to be becoming more frequent, especially amongst the younger people," he said.