The Breathe Freely Campaign

The 'Breathe Freely Campaign' is a Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK initiative, created in response to difficulties and surcharges its members were encountering if they required supplemental oxygen when travelling by air.

For campaign/media enquiries, please contact: media@phassociation.uk.com or + 44 (0) 207 272 3915

To add your name to the Breathe Freely Petition to the Prime Minister click here http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Breathefreely

To locate a template letter that you can send to your Westminster Member of Parliament, Member of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly Member or Member of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland click here.

In 2009, the PHA-UK commissioned 'secret shopper' research with its members posing as potential customers contacting 71 major airlines that operate to and from the UK. The main findings of the 'Breathe Freely Report' were:

• Less than quarter of airlines supply free supplemental oxygen
• A quarter of airlines do not supply supplemental oxygen at all
• Two thirds of airlines would not allow PHA-UK researchers to bring their own oxygen for use in-flight
• Virtually every airline that charged for supplemental oxygen levied a different fee, ranging from £50 to £500 per trip

The research also uncovered widespread negative attitudes towards disabled travellers enduring long periods ‘on hold’ while waiting for details of airline oxygen policy, receiving incorrect information and having to deal with, on average, three customer service staff per call. In many cases airlines were only prepared to share their supplemental oxygen policy after a ticket was purchased.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK is grateful for the support of the British Lung Foundation in its attempt to win the right for all people who require supplemental oxygen when flying to 'Breathe Freely.'

To read the full report, please click here

BACKGROUND

People with lung conditions such as Pulmonary Hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis can require supplemental oxygen to counteract low levels of oxygen in their blood. This problem becomes worse when flying as air pressure in the cabin is lower than at ground level resulting in lower oxygen concentrations.

When travelling on planes, there are three main ways of supplying oxygen to those passengers that need it:

• Airlines arrange to provide their own oxygen cylinders or allow the use of the onboard supply (in emergencies).
• Passengers are permitted to bring their own oxygen cylinders on board. (Gaseous oxygen cylinders are provided by UK suppliers and are not to be taken on flights outside the country)
• Passengers are permitted to bring their own portable oxygen concentrators on board.

For further information on the issues click here to watch the videos from Parliament.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS PERSPECTIVES

The British Lung Foundation (BLF) believe that supplemental oxygen is as important to people with breathing problems as a wheelchair is to people who have difficulty walking. The BLF asserts that all airlines should allow people dependent on oxygen to travel with it free of charge - if they have medical clearance to do so.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) questions whether airlines' refusal to carry passengers' oxygen cylinders or concentrators without charge, or at all, is contrary to the letter of existing legislation. They are seeking to have the regulations interpreted so that airlines do not charge people who are on oxygen. Where carriers provide oxygen, the EHRC does not question whether it would be appropriate for them to charge for doing so. The legal issue is their refusal to carry passengers' own medical equipment.

To find out more click here to visit the Media Archive.

EXISTING LEGISLATION

1995 Disability Discrimination Act: Defines a disability as "...a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and longterm adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities". However the legislation does not apply to transport, which is governed by a series of guidelines and regulations.

European regulation 1107/2006: Imposes obligations on airlines with respect to the services they provide, including an obligation to carry passengers' medical equipment free of charge. However, there are no specific obligations to carry or provide oxygen in the cabin.

SI 1895/2007: Civil Aviation (Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility) 2007: brings the European regulations in to UK law.

• The Code includes a section on oxygen, which advises that air carriers may approve the carriage of small gaseous oxygen or air cylinders required for medical use, but notes that carriers will wish to ensure that these do not pose a risk to security.
• The Code also recommends that portable oxygen concentrator devices should normally be allowed if battery powered.
• Where air carriers wish to supply medical oxygen to passengers on request, the code acknowledges that it would be possible to make a charge for this service to cover the provision of the oxygen

Air Carriers Access Act (United States): The Air Carrier Access Act, came into effect in the United States on 13th May 2009. U.S. airlines worldwide and foreign airlines on flights that depart or arrive in the U.S. will be required to allow travellers who use portable oxygen concentrators to carry them on board for use during the flight as long as devices have been tested and labelled as meeting Federal Airline Administration (FAA) requirements and the device can be stowed safely.

(Similar legislation that applies to the UK and EU would be very welcome)

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

• Remove all additional charges that are made for supplemental oxygen while travelling by air
• Improve the quality and visibility of airlines’ supplemental oxygen policy.
• Address the negative attitudes and knowledge gaps in airline personnel when dealing with oxygen dependant passengers.

CONCLUSION

Organising air travel is already difficult for people who are dependent on supplemental oxygen. There are a number of obstacles to overcome, not least arranging an oxygen supply when outside the country. Removing the surcharges and restrictions that airlines place on people who need supplemental oxygen would be an important step in the right direction.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK are extremely grateful to all MPs, MEPs, AMs and MSPs who have supported the campaign to allow oxygen-dependent passengers to have the right to 'Breathe Freely'. Further action to abolish this ‘tax on the disabled' and make air travel more accessible to all would be welcomed.