Campaigners press airlines for ‘economy class syndrome’ rules

Date: 14/11/02

By Martin Banks

CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up their battle for new airline rules to combat deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or 'economy class syndrome'.

The European Commission and the British government have sponsored a World Health Organization study of DVT. But the results will not be known until 2004 and campaigners want airlines to act now to make travellers fully aware of the potential dangers.

Ruth Christofferson, chairwoman of the UK-based Victims of Air Related DVT Association, said the group is already winning key supporters at the European Parliament: 'Many of the MEPs we have spoken to, who are frequent travellers, were not taking precautions against DVT, but they are now.'

Her 28-year-old daughter, Emma, died from a blood clot after flying from Australia to Britain in October 2000. The group says passengers should be made aware of the dangers of DVT, with warnings printed on tickets. They should also be advised to take exercise during flights, wear special compression stockings, be given information on seat pitch and urged not to drink just before or during flights.

Liberal MEP Liz Lynne, who suffered a blood clot after a short-haul flight, has called for more EU funds for research into the condition.

'It is time the airlines took all practical steps to ensure such risks are minimised,' she said.

In DVT, a clot forms in the veins, usually in the lower legs, and is then carried via the heart to the lungs, where it causes a fatal block in the super-thin vessels that collect oxygen.

It is estimated that 10 of travellers on long-haul flights could be at risk, with the overweight, elderly and those who have recently had surgery most likely to be affected.

• A case being brought in London's High Court by survivors of DVT and the relatives of deceased victims will resume on 18 November.

Fifty-five sufferers and their families are claiming compensation from 27 airlines over what they say was 'a breach of duty of care'.

Campaigners have stepped up their battle for new airline rules to combat deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or 'economy class syndrome'.