WRITTEN QUESTION P-0353/01 by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Air passenger safety.
Date: 2001-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, cardiovascular disease, carriage of passengers, consumer protection, health risk, health statistics, transport company, transport regulations, transport safety

C 235 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

Can the Commission indicate:

(cid:129) any further findings or statistics available at European level,

(cid:129) its assessment of the current situation and any action it might take,

(cid:129) whether it will review the technical specifications for civil aviation with regard to seat pitch,

(cid:129) whether any legal bases exist for the settlement of potential claims for damages against airlines,

(cid:129) whether airlines are legally bound to refer to the dangers of thrombosis on the flight tickets they issue,

(cid:129) whether similar problems exist with regard to long-distance coach transport?

(2001/C 235 E/141)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0353/01

by Sir Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2001)

Subject: Air passenger safety

What actions have been taken by the Commission to investigate the incidence of the so-called (cid:145)aircraft
syndrome(cid:146) and its resultant health risks? What is the nature of the advice which has been sought from
airlines operating within the EU and medical experts? Will the Commission make a statement as to
progress?

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(cid:146) 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 Associa-
tion, 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).

21.8.2001

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 235 E/133

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.

(2001/C 235 E/142)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Balkans syndrome (cid:129) safety of Community staff

(31 January 2001)

The Commission has already expressed its concern about the Balkans syndrome, while large numbers of
Community staff and non-governmental organisations are located in dangerous areas of Kosovo. As
Thessaloniki is the seat of the Agency for the Reconstruction of the Balkans, does the Commission intend
to consider the possibility of moving Community staff to Thessaloniki to protect their health? The
extension of the agency(cid:146)s activities to Serbia and Montenegro will cause communication problems for the
is a subsidy for an air service connecting
agency(cid:146)s Community staff. Under the existing regulations,
Thessaloniki with Pristina-Belgrade-Podgorica a possibility?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2001)

The investigation of the alleged (cid:145)Balkans syndrome(cid:146) is still ongoing in various fora.

The United Nations Environmental Programme and the Community(cid:146)s Article 31 Committee have
concluded that there is no immediate environmental or health risk. The Community co-operates with the
international organisations carrying out such investigations. Thus far, there is no clear evidence of health
implications. The work of the European Agency for Reconstruction will therefore continue as usual i.e. in
the places where the programmes are implemented.

Although transport in the region can be difficult, the opening of offices of the Agency in Belgrade and
Podgorica will not cause communication difficulties. Apart from the fact that each of the Agency(cid:146)s three
offices will handle separate programmes with dedicated staff, modern technology provides for sufficient
contacts and overall co-ordination.

As regards the Honourable Member(cid:146)s second suggestion, the Commission would remind the Honourable
Member that Community competition rules would not allow such a subsidy (cid:129) either with Community or
national funds (cid:129) unless it results from a Community-wide tendering process.

(2001/C 235 E/143)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0153/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Balkans syndrome and the responsibilities of the Agency for the Reconstruction of the Balkans

As implementing authority for the CARDS regulation, one of the responsibilities of the Agency for the
Reconstruction of the Balkans is environmental rehabilitation in the Balkans (Article 2(2)(d) of Regulation