Government pledges research on flight blood clots

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- The British government pledged to carry out urgent research into blood clots caused by cramped air travel on long flights and force changes upon airlines if necessary.

The threat of thrombosis from flying, dubbed "economy class syndrome" after the squeezed seating often found in airlines' coach sections, hit the headlines in Britain last year after an apparently healthy 28-year-old woman collapsed and died after a 20-hour flight from Australia.

Transport minister Chris Mullin told politicians in Britain's parliament that the government "was on the case," working to establish if there was a definite link.

It would work with the industry to tackle the threat of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and would get tough on airlines if necessary.

"Where it is necessary we will regulate though our preference is to avoid regulation where we can achieve the same effect by other means," Mullin said.

"Airlines must accept that they have the principle role to play both in terms of minimising risk and in providing effective information to their passengers before they fly."

Fears have rippled worldwide after several deaths have come to light.

A senior doctor at a hospital which takes patients from London's Heathrow airport said that aviation-related DVT may kill more than one person a month in the UK.

An Australian surgeon said up to 400 people may be arriving at Sydney airport every year suffering from blood clots, prompting the government there to demand a full report.

A survey in Japan found that 25 passengers have died of the condition at Tokyo's Narita airport in the past eight years.

A joint committee, embracing the British health and transport ministries and air watchdog the Civil Aviation Authority would be set up, Mullin said.

Senior transport minister Gus Macdonald will haul airline executives in to hear what they plan.

Ian Gibson, a member of the ruling Labour Party and a doctor, accused the airlines of complacency. He suggested cabin crew offer warnings about DVT when giving safety instructions and encourage passengers to take regular exercise en route.

British Airways has said it will give passengers warning leaflets about the risks of potentially fatal blood clots on long haul flights.

Copyright 2001 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Woman dies from blood clot after long-haul flight
October 23, 2000

British Government
British Airways

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.