^{“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

In the final Public Consultation this season, The UK Department for Transport has requested that stakeholders offer their views on their proposals to update the regulatory environment for the aviation industry.  HolidayTravelWatch has responded to their detailed questionnaire, dealing with the effect of their proposals on the proposed ‘Consumer Objectives’ – Safety – Consumers – Environment.  Many of the complaints we receive centre around failures under EU Directive 261/2004 (Denied Boarding, Flight Delays and Flight Cancellations), EU Directive 1107/2006 (Rights to Persons of Reduced Mobility), EU Directive 211/2005 (Issues concerning aircraft safety – eg EU Blacklist of Airlines etc) and lost and/or damaged luggage disputes.  We have responded to this Consultation in a manner which is informative, constructive but nonetheless critical.  We have called upon  all stakeholders, to meet the challenges of dialogue and progress with Politicians and Consumers, to create a new deal and a truly sustainable future for the UK and EU airline industry! Read More

I was in London last week discussing amongst other things, the future Consumer Objective and Regulation of the Airline Industry in the UK.  During that meeting, I discussed with one member of the stakeholder group, the issue of safety and in particular, the growing awareness surrounding the Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft Syndrome issue.  I expressed the view that whatever the current enquiry commissioned by Parliament, this issue is real and will not go away.  I predicted that whilst some ‘interested parties’ are engaged in ‘naysayer’ activities on this subject, the next 3 to 5 years will see the growth of groups of airline passengers taking action because of their exposure to toxic fumes!  As if to underline this point, today’s news surrounding the emergency landing of a British airline jet, is surely a timely warning to the industry and the authorities! Read More

The news that a British Aircaft was subject to a smoke or fume event requiring evacuation of some 300 passengers and crew, is a timely reminder of the Aerotoxic Syndrome debate.  The question of what caused this event to occur is we hope still a matter for further investigation.  However, it was clear from the report that a number of passengers were overcome by fumes, but we are not assisted as to how many received assistance following this exposure.  The issue leads to a number of questions and we hope that the Committee of Toxicity (COT), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have considered, irrespective of which airline is involved or whatever the cause of a smoke or fume event, to be a welcome opportunity to create an important set of guidelines on how such events should be monitored, for example, they should co-ordinate to ensure that: Read More

During this summer season we have witnessed reports of various flight safety deficits, the most recent of which are several incidents reported by the BBC, and of course, the Spanish aircraft disaster.  I sincerely offer my deepest sympathies, and the respect of HolidayTravelwatch to all those affected by the Madrid crash.  I hope that the cause of the crash, and that lessons will be learnt quickly to avoid a similar incident again. Read More

The BBC reported that the Government has commissioned a study into the ‘alleged’ incidents of fumes on board aircraft.  The Cranfield University will apparently carry out a study over the next 2 years to determine the source and nature of the fume events. Read More

HolidayTravelWatch has been contacted by holidaymakers since 2006, complaining of the ill effects of being exposed to a smoke or fume event on board commercial aircraft. Read More