WRITTEN QUESTION E-2751/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(3 September 1998)

Subject: Safety of children in aircraft

1. Is the Commission aware that the Rhineland Technical Inspection Agency proved as early as August 1992 by the use of tests with dummies that the use of the "loop belt" poses a potential threat to the lives of children?

2. Is the Commission aware that the European Aviation Safety Authority, with its regulation "JAR-OPS1" of 1 April 1998, actually made the use of the loop belt compulsory for Member State airlines, although it has long since been banned in America?

3. What immediate measures will the Commission take to avert the danger to children's lives represented by the use of the loop belt?

4. When will the Commission ensure that the use of different age-appropriate restraint systems for children in aeroplanes becomes mandatory?

5. Has the Commission made funds available for the development of such restraint systems? If so, how much? If not, why not?

6. Does the Commission share the view of the Member that the absence of safety devices, particularly for children under two, calls for urgent and immediate measures at European level, since action by individual Member States would be hard to achieve?

7. Does the Commission share the Member's view that failure to act despite the overwhelming evidence would be tantamount to tacitly accepting the endangering of children's lives?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 1998)

The proper restraint of children in an aircraft accident is a major factor in survivability. Clearly unrestrained children have a significantly higher risk of death in the rare event of an accident happening or injury. The Commission is aware of the TUV report and of general concerns relating to the safety of loop belts when used by children travelling in aircraft.

Following these findings, a specific research task called "Proposal for improved passenger restraint systems" has been included as a priority item in the "Air transport work research programme". Under this programme, a specific project called "European specification for infant and child restraint devices" was launched this year with a total Community contribution of ECU 145 000. On the basis of relevant operational statistics the project will examine the existing practice for child restraint systems both in Europe and in the United States. The project team will also assess the feasibility of improved child restraints in aircraft and develop a proposal for a "European specification for infant passengers in aircraft". The results of the project are expected towards the end of 1998. The Commission will communicate the results to the Joint Aviation Authorities and, if appropriate, invite them to revise existing specifications for the sale and use of such restraint systems in aircraft. This would, of course, also lead to a revision of the requirements provided under current Community legislation.

As from 1 April 1998, national legislation covering such systems is being replaced by JAR-OPS 1 which makes mandatory the use of a restraint device, which can be the loop belt or any other device, leaving the operator with the responsibility of the choice of the restraint system.

Proper restraint systems are required for all passengers and this is why work is under way to define the specification of infant and child restraint devices. It is unlikely that the current loop belts would comply with the specification.