BATA Health and Mobility

Air Travel and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

UK airlines base their approach to the issue of DVT on the best available scientific and medical knowledge. The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry into Air Travel and Health in 2000 looked at all the evidence available on DVT and concluded that :-

a) there is no proven link between air travel and DVT, but recommended further research

b) prolonged immobility is one of a number of factors, many of which are personal, which influence one's risk of suffering DVT

c) the phrase economy class syndrome is "seriously misleading" - a more appropriate description would be "traveller's thrombosis"

d) Government and airlines should improve the information provided to passengers

UK airlines operating longhaul flights reviewed the information and advice they had been providing to passengers immediately following the Inquiry. Information is now available before the flight on websites and, where appropriate, with the ticket. It is also provided during the journey through in-flight magazines, videos and is referred to in announcements. The advice includes suggested in-seat exercises.

Government published their advice on DVT a year later in 2001.

A major, international research project recommended by the Select Committee was undertaken under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva. The work, carried out by a consortium of medical experts called the WRIGHT project, was partly funded by the UK Government. The results of the work were presented to a medical science conference in Sydney, Australia in August 2005. The research confirmed that the risk of DVT is linked to immobility and not to the mode of travel. The UK Government announced the results in a press release on 21st December 2005 (Click here for the Press Release).

The major, international research project recommended by the Select Committee is now progressing under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva. The work is partly funded by the UK Government and very much supported by the airlines who are co-operating fully with the medical scientists leading the study.

We have every sympathy with any victim of DVT, which is a general (though infrequent) medical condition which can occur without previous symptoms.

We recommend that anyone planning to take a long journey (by whatever means - air, rail, coach or car) who feels they have personal factors which make them more at risk from blood clotting or DVT should take the advice of their GP about any additional measures that may be necessary to manage the journey.

August 2006

Access to Air Travel for Disabled People

BATA members are committed to meeting the objectives of the Government's Code of Practice "Air Access for Disabled Travellers" and support the Government's aims as set out in their press release of 20th March 2003:

"The voluntary code of practice Access to Air Travel for Disabled People targets the needs of individuals with a disability from the moment they book their flight to their return journey home.

Recommendations in the Code concentrate on meeting the needs of disabled people when booking their flight, travelling to the airport, using facilities within the terminal building and aircraft and provide a comprehensive resource for the travel industry to follow.

Accompanying today's industry Code is a guide for disabled passengers produced by Government advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).

The Code was developed in association with the Airport Operators Association, the Association of British Travel Agents, British Air Transport Association and DPTAC.

It is hoped that all involved in the UK air industry - travel agents, tour operators, airlines, airports, ground handling companies and retailers - will adopt the standards set out in the Code and work to exceed them."

A copy of the Access to Air Travel for Disabled People can be found at the DfT website at www.dft.gov.uk or by contacting the Department for Transport at Disability Policy Branch, DfT Mobility and Inclusion Unit, Zone 1/18, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR.

The guidance for disabled travellers can be obtained at www.dptac.gov.uk or by writing to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, c/o Secretariat, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DR.