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

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), has called for evidence on the issue of Aerotoxic or Sick Aircraft Syndrome.  Their investigation remit has stated that: Read More

The growing disquiet on the issue of fumes or smoke in aircraft cabins is a subject matter that will not go away.  The effects of these events often lead to serious reports of immediate and long term sickness amongst aircrew and passengers.  There is a strong debate on the causes of these events which have become widely known as either ‘Aerotoxic Syndrome’ or ‘Sick Aircraft Syndrome’.  There is compelling evidence for example, to show that one of the compounds of jet engine oil – Tricresyl-Phosphate – is the active agent that causes serious neurological and other debilitating symptoms (a good indicator of such evidence can be found in ‘The Aviation Contamination Air Reference Manual’).  The disquiet expressed by Organisations such as The Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) and The Aerotoxic Association has led to the distribution of the ‘whistleblower’ film – ‘Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines’ to all Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, along with a second call for a Public Enquiry on this important issue. Read More

The Aerotoxic Association and the organisation Toxic Free Airlines, have today announced that they have sent to every Member of Parliament and Member of the House of Lords, a free copy of the excellent film expose by Tristan Loraine; ‘Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines’. Read More

In this latest edition we examine the effect of the fall of corporate responsibility in holiday contracts.  We suggest that new criminal offiences be created within the new Package Travel Regulations/Directive of failing to report or respond to a Bio-Hazard incident and where holidaymakers are exposed to sickness, for companies to be made responsible under a new offence of a Bio-Crime.  We also look at the continuing issue of Sick Aircraft Syndrome and the inspiration of Ms Downs who fought the UK Government on the issue of pesticides.  We look at EU Directive 2111/2005 and ask how this could be applied to aircraft fume incidents and enquiries.  Our guest article comes from Stephanie Trotter who heads Co Gas Safety.  She charts the issue of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and questions the impotency of action for the benefit of the consumer and citizen.  Our Case Study examines the appalling experience of one couple and how their substantial rights under the Package Travel Regulations where trampled upon.  Our final article provides a brief commentary on your right to have information provided to you on time whenever you book a Package Holiday. Read More

The inspirational  anti-pesticides campaigner, said of her recent High Court victory that, “The UK government’s relentless and extraordinary attempts to protect industry, as opposed to people’s health has been one of the most outrageous things to behold in the last seven years of my fight” (BBC News Online – 14/11/08). 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