WRITTEN QUESTION E-0155/01

by Ioannis Souladakis (PSE) and Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Air quality on board certain types of aircraft

According to press reports (International Herald Tribune of Friday, 27 October 2000), complaints from flight attendants and passengers about feeling ill on Boeing 777 aircraft have led to investigations being undertaken by United Airlines and British Airways into the air quality on board that type of aircraft. The Boeing 777 can fly at an altitude of 12 400 metres, higher than any other type of aircraft, and that can result in less oxygen being available and in variations in the aircraft's air-conditioning system leading to some sections of the aircraft being hotter than others and to some passengers feeling sick during the flight. Complaints relate to shortness of breath, nosebleeds, headaches and itchy throats. Some passengers have even fainted at the end of the flight.

Is the Commission aware of the investigations being carried out?

Does it intend to review air quality on board this type of aircraft, and similar types, with view to protecting the health of the crew and of the passengers on board?

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.