Australian inquiry into 'economy class syndrome'

Qantas will be printing warnings for passengers on its tickets

SYDNEY, Australia -- The Australian government has ordered an inquiry into the so-called "economy class syndrome" associated with several deaths relating to air travel. Transport Minister John Anderson ordered his department to prepare a report in response to growing public concern about DVT following widely reported incidents among airline passengers.

The condition occurs when blood clots form during long periods of immobility, and can be fatal if the clots enter the heart or lungs.

"It's obviously a major issue of discussion and whatever it is, you've got to have a look at these things," a department spokesman said.

Since the death in October of a 28-year-old British woman at the end of a 20-hour flight from Australia to the United Kingdom, economy class syndrome has attracted considerable media attention, with several reports of deaths among passengers due to blood clots. Airlines argue that it is not a condition specifically linked to air travel and some doctors say that the pressurization of air cabins, dehydration, and the cramped space on aircraft increase the risk for air passengers.

However, many carriers including Qantas are undertaking further measures to inform passengers of the risks of long-distance flights

A spokeswoman for Qantas said the company had been warning passengers for 14 years that mild exercises help prevent blood clots. She said the airline was now planning to put warning stickers on its tickets.

British Airways said earlier this month it would be issuing warning leaflets with tickets and Singapore Airlines said it would also make information available to passengers in a leaflet.

Meanwhile, an Australian law firm, Slater & Gordon has signed up 800 Australian clients wanting to sue 20 global airlines for DVT-related incidents.

The firm has been inundated with calls from potential clients since it announced plans of the lawsuit earlier this month.

Local newspapers reported Slater & Gordon had almost doubled the number of cases on its books involving deaths from DVT to 60 in the past week. Law firm partners were not immediately available to confirm the reports.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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