About 90,000 air passengers have breathing difficulties and need supplementary oxygen, either from an oxygen concentrator or from a small oxygen cylinder. The reason? Flying is rather like walking around halfway up a mountain- there is less oxygen in the cabin and less air pressure. As a consequence, people who have problems breathing at ground level will certainly face greater difficulties when they fly.

For many years a large number of airlines have charged people to provide them with supplemental oxygen in-flight or prevented them from bringing their own supply. Some of these charges are unbelievable. There is no justification for these charges to be made. This is in effect a tax on the disabled.

In 2009 I tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM), which 243 MP’s signed, calling for all airlines that use UK airports to stop charging for supplemental oxygen and to allow passengers- who need it- to be able to bring their own supply. This special section of the PHA-UK website site offers more information on the Breathe Freely Campaign, including over thirty minutes of video from Parliament itself.

Nick Ainger
MP and PHA-UK Trustee