Regulations needed to protect health of air travellers

Regulated standards of healthcare and medical advice must be brought in to protect the welfare of the two billion people who travel by air each year, the British Medical Association (BMA) has urged.

A new report published today, 'The Impact of Flying on Passenger Health: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals', from the BMA's Board of Science and Education, has found that there were no international obligations on airlines to provide medical care – and that the quality of medical care was "highly variable".

The BMA's report found that airline regulation has focused on maximising aircraft safety, but guidance for doctors and air passengers alike has often been "inadequate or contradictory". The new report highlighted specific issues for air travellers, such as cabin pressure and jetlag, and also considered the evidence for conditions linked to flying, such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and identifies where research is lacking.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of Science and Ethics at the BMA, called on the UK government and the international community to "tackle the numerous issues raised in the report".

"Despite the huge popularity of air travel, health issues for air passengers have been largely overlooked. While some valuable work has been done, this report shows that much more research is needed on key issues such as DVT if health professionals and the public alike are to understand and counter the medical risks posed by flying," she said.

"The BMA welcomes recent government moves to monitor research into these issues. If air passengers' health is to be properly protected however, much better regulation on in-flight medical equipment, and quality of staff training on delivering emergency care, is essential," Dr Nathanson added.

In Europe cabin crew must be trained in first aid, but there are few requirements on training standards, the BMA said.

In the US, Federal Aviation Administration regulations specifically exclude any requirements for airlines to provide medical care. The standard of medical equipment "varies considerably", with few fixed rules on the content of medical kits. Airlines are also under no obligation to carry automated external defibrillators (AEDs) – basic machinery for resuscitating heart attack victims.

(gmcg)