NICK CALLS FOR AN END TO AIRLINES' TAX ON BREATHING
June 29, 2009 10:12 AM
Nick Harvey, MP for North Devon, has lent his support to the British Lung Foundation and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK's campaign to end the restrictions and charges that airlines place on people with a lung condition.
People with respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pulmonary Hypertension 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 twenty-two major airlines, conducted by the Pulmonary Hypertension UK, found that just five companies allow people to bring their own oxygen cylinder on to their planes and that only seven companies allow people to bring their own oxygen concentrator on board. Other airlines only allow passengers to use the oxygen that they provide and at an additional cost.
Nick Harvey showed his support by signing Early Day Motion 1444: Supplementary Charges for Oxygen. This motion has been signed by over 200 MPs from all political parties. It calls on all airlines to allow passengers who need it to carry their own oxygen cylinder or concentrator on board.
Nick Harvey said: 'In the coming months many people from North Devon will be going on holiday by plane. I believe that people with lung conditions 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 and restrictions.'
Iain Armstrong, Chairman of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK stated: '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: 'We are delighted that Nick Harvey has decided to support 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 with it free of charge, if they have medical clearance to do so. We need the airlines to act on this with urgency.'
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