Kirsty calls for an end to airlines' tax on breathing (Kirsty Williams AM )

Kirsty calls for an end to airlines' tax on breathing

February 3, 2010 12:00 AM

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has lent her support to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK and British Lung Foundation's campaign to end the restrictions and charges that airlines place on people with a lung condition.

People with respiratory diseases such as Pulmonary Hypertension Chronic and Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often require additional supplementary oxygen due to the low levels of oxygen in their blood.

However, due to the policies set by airline companies, it is both expensive and difficult for people with this disability to plan and use air travel. A recent survey of 71 major airlines, conducted by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK found that

Less than a quarter of airlines surveyed supply free supplementary oxygen.

A quarter of airlines approached do not supply supplementary oxygen at all.

Two thirds of airlines in the study would not allow disabled air travellers with lung conditions to bring their own oxygen for use in-flight.

Of the airlines that provide supplemental oxygen but charge for it, each levies a different fee ranging from £50 to £500 per trip!

Researchers spent protracted periods of time 'on hold' and in some instances paying a premium rate for the privilege, speaking with an average of three different customer service staff and still not receiving the information they required.

In too many instances airlines were only prepared to share their supplemental oxygen policy, if our secret shopper had bought a ticket to fly first

Kirsty said: 'In the coming months many people from Brecon and Radnorshire] will be going on holiday by plane. I believe that people with lung conditions should have same opportunities to travel, free from discriminatory charges, as the rest of us. I therefore urge all the airlines that have not already done so, to drop these charges and restrictions.'

Iain Armstrong, Chairman of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK stated: 'We are delighted that Kirsty has decided to support our campaign. I believe the charging of those with lung conditions for supplementary oxygen is a grossly unfair tax. Disability rights are not about having different rights but equal rights. These individuals should have the same opportunities to travel, free from discriminatory charges, as the rest of us. I therefore urge all the airlines that have not already done so, to drop these charges.'

Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: '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 with it free of charge, if they have medical clearance to do so. We need the airlines to act on this with urgency."

Diwedd/Ends

Media Contacts: Paul Pennington/Bernadette Moore/Hazel Roberts PHA-UK Press Office 020 7272 3915 media@phassociation.uk.com

Notes to editors:

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA-UK) provides support, understanding, and information for everyone whose life is touched by Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). By bringing people together, and providing a focus for everyone throughout the UK and around the world, PHA-UK aims to make the lives of patients, relatives and carers easier and more able to cope with the challenges that the disease imposes. To find out more about PHA-UK please visit www.phassociation.uk.com

The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. The charity focuses its resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and works in a variety of ways (including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future. The BLF provides information via the website www.lunguk.org and telephone helpline 08458 50 50 20.

Kirsty Williams AM