WRITTEN QUESTION E-0349/01

by Garrelt Duin (PSE) to the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Subject: Danger of deep-vein thrombosis for passengers on long-haul flights (economy class syndrome)

Flying as a passenger in a cramped economy-class seat is more dangerous than has hitherto been admitted. With freedom of movement being restricted, blood may coagulate in passengers' legs on long-haul flights, and that can lead to the formation of potentially fatal blood clots. Especially in economy class, where the seat pitch is generally less than 80 cm, the danger of damage to health is particularly high, hence the tag economy class syndrome. A study carried out by British medical specialists comes to the horrifying conclusion that, in Great Britain alone, as many as 2 000 passengers die every year from economy class syndrome.

Can the Commission indicate:

- any further findings or statistics available at European level,

- its assessment of the current situation and any action it might take,

- whether it will review the technical specifications for civil aviation with regard to seat pitch,

- whether any legal bases exist for the settlement of potential claims for damages against airlines,

- whether airlines are legally bound to refer to the dangers of thrombosis on the flight tickets they issue,

- whether similar problems exist with regard to long-distance coach transport?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0151/01, E-0155/01, E-0191/01, E-0233/01, E-0349/01 and P-0353/01 given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2001)

The Commission is well aware of recent reports and developments in the field of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and cabin conditions, and is taking passengers' concerns very seriously. It has examined various reports, in particular that of the Select Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Lords.

On the basis of a preliminary assessment, the Commission has not found real substance in the extreme claims about health risks from air travel. However, it takes the danger of health risks most seriously, in particular that of DVT, the more so as data is poor on the incidence of the complaint.

Consequently, as a first precaution, the Commission sent a letter to the presidents of the Association of European Airlines, the European Regions Airlines Association and the International Air Carrier Association, urging their members to take precautionary measures in relation to DVT. In this letter, airlines were urged to act rapidly to minimise the risks by informing passengers when they make reservations or order tickets, on the risks, on predisposing factors and on precautionary measures to take before long flights and advise them, once on board the aircraft, on what to do to lessen the chance of thrombosis.

A number of airlines have already introduced, on their own initiative, pre-boarding warnings and/or in-flight advice (leaflets, videos, in-flight magazines showing exercises, recommending what to do and what to avoid, etc).

The next thing is to obtain balance assessments of health risks. The Commission will, as soon as possible, set up expert groups, one on the effects of DVT and the other on air quality and cabin conditions. They will scrutinise existing research and then draw conclusions on risks to health, the need for further research and on measures that the different actors involved should take.