Since the latter part of 2009, Consumer Organisations and The Travel Industry have been engaged in a lengthy Political Consultation process, to determine the future of Consumer or Travel Industry Rights and Obligations or Safety Issues. HolidayTravelWatch has been fully engaged in this process and has responded to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s request for Stakeholders to provide comment upon ‘Cabin Air Quality onboard Large Aeroplanes’
Our report highlights that 63% of passengers surveyed declared that they had experienced smoke/fumes onboard aircraft. We found that many suffered with symptoms of light-headiness, disorientation, chest problems and skin conditions. We also discovered that a number of passengers continued to suffer with these symptoms along with irritability, behavioural problems, neurological difficulties, depression and other physical and psychological problems.
HolidayTravelWatch provided further Consumer comment, supplementing that already given to The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority in June 2009.
Frank Brehany, the Senior Consumer Advocate for HolidayTravelWatch states:
“We have monitored and reported on this important issue since 2006. There appears to be an impasse between Government and Campaigners, perhaps fuelled by the fear of expensive litigation. We have called for the immediate installation of filters on all bleed aircraft, an obligatory reporting system for crew and passengers alike and the creation of a ‘no fault protocol’, uniting passengers, crew, airlines, manufacturers, oil companies, scientists, lawyers and politicians in a quest to resolve this important 21st century problem. I ask; is that too much to ask in order to guarantee safety – will EASA act to protect the interests of all aviation stakeholders?” Read More
HTW has noted that amongst the submissions to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) it has been suggested that the symptoms highlighted by crew and passengers were akin to the condition of hyperventilation.
HTW has for many years received reports from concerned holiday makers or independent travellers as to the safety of their aircraft, ship or boat, train or road transport.
