Labour MEP Glenis Willmott is supporting a campaign against what has been called a ‘tax on the disabled’ and is asking the European Commission to investigate.

People with certain lung conditions – including people from the East Midlands (see case studies via BLF below) – can find it difficult and expensive to book a holiday, as a result of the policies set by some airlines.   Most airlines do not allow people to bring their own portable oxygen supply on to their planes AND charge hundreds of pounds extra for passengers who need to use the supplementary oxygen that the airline provides.

To make the situation even worse, many airlines do not clearly state on their website how much extra passengers with a lung condition have to pay. Some airlines even refuse to give this information until a ticket has been booked.

Glenis Willmott MEP said “Air travel across the European Union has never been so cheap and accessible. However, for people with a lung condition, it remains very difficult and expensive to organise a flight”

“I am supporting the British Lung Foundation campaign as I believe that disabled people should not have to pay extra when they book a flight. I am therefore calling on the European Commission to produce a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines for airlines operating within the European Union on how to assist people with a lung condition”.

David Horton, Director of Communications for the British Lung Foundation, said: “We are delighted that Glenis Willmott MEP is supporting our campaign. Supplemental oxygen is as important to people with breathing problems as a wheelchair is to people who have difficulty walking. All airlines should allow people dependent on supplemental oxygen to travel without additional charges, if they have medical clearance to do so. We need the airlines to act on this with urgency”.

Further information

1.       Regulations previously passed by the European Parliament require all airlines to employ the necessary staff and equipment to assist people with mobility and disability problems, and to provide this assistance without additional charge.

2.       These regulations also states airlines must allow people to bring medical and mobility equipment on board and that they should communicate essential information concerning restrictions in an accessible format.

3.       However, airlines are not obliged to allow passengers to bring oxygen cylinders onboard if they have concerns about their safety. At present it is not clearly specified what assistance airlines are obliged provide to people who require medical equipment in cases when airlines have safety concerns about their equipment.

4.       Airlines such as Thomson, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic allow passengers to access their on board oxygen without additional charges. Many other airlines, however, class the provision of oxygen as a service for which they charge a fee.

5.       Glenis has submitted a Written Question to the European Commission and will be requesting that the European Commission produces a clear and comprehensive set of guidelines for airlines operating within the European Union on how to assist people with a lung condition