FINNIE CALLS FOR AN END TO AIRLINES TAX ON BREATHING

Written by Ross Finnie on Thu 11th Feb 2010

West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie has lent his support to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK and British Lung Foundation's Campaign to end the restrictions and charges that airlines place on people with a lung condition.

People with respiratory diseases such as Pulmonary Hypertension Chronic and Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 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.

Commenting Mr Finnie said:

"In the next few months many people from across the West of Scotland will be going on holiday by plane. It is unfair that many people across the West of Scotland may be stopped from flying due to unreasonable discriminatory charges. I urge all the airlines still charging for supplying supplementary oxygen to drop this unscrupulous practice."

Commenting Iain Armstrong, Chairman of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK stated:

"We are delighted that Ross Finnie MSP has decided to support our campaign. 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 airlines that have not already done so, to drop these charges."

Ends

Notes to Editors:

A recent survey of 7 major airlines, conducted by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK found that

· Less than a quarter of airlines surveyed supply free supplementary oxygen.

· A quarter of airlines approached do not supply supplementary oxygen at all.

· Two thirds of airlines in the study would not allow disabled air travellers with lung conditions to bring their own oxygen for use in-flight.

· Of the airlines that provide supplemental oxygen but charge for it, each levies a different fee ranging from £50 to £500 per trip.

· Researchers spent protracted periods of time "on hold" and in some instances paying a premium rate for the privilege, speaking with an average of three different customer service staff and still not receiving the information they required.

· In too many instances airlines were only prepared to share their supplemental oxygen policy, if our secret shopper had shopper had bought a ticket to fly first.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK (PHA-UK) provides support, understanding, and information for everyone whose life is touched by Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). By bringing people together, and providing a focus for everyone throughout the UK and around the world, PHA-UK aims to make the lives of patients, relatives and carers easier and more able to cope with the challenges that the disease imposes. To find out more about PHA-UK please visit www.phassociation.uk.com

The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. The Charity focuses its resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and works in a variety of ways (Including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future. The BLF provides information via the website www.lunguk.org and telephone helpline 08458505020