Airlines that charge for oxygen 'shamed' in Commons

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 20:37

AIRLINES that charge passengers suffering breathing difficulties for use of oxygen cylinders were named and shamed in the Commons yesterday.

Ryanair, First Choice and BMI were named among those that refuse passengers the right to bring their own cylinders on board and then levy charges for using oxygen provided.

Other airlines, including Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Air Canada and Air France, also charge.

Nick Ainger, a former Labour minister, said passengers suffering with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and pulmonary hypertension were often priced out of travel.

Charges typically ranged from 55 to 250, Mr Ainger said, but some airlines charged for an extra seat or imposed higher costs for long-haul flights. BMI charged 100; First Choice 150 for short haul and 250 for long haul; Ryanair 148 (126).

But other airlines including British Airways, Easyjet, Flybe and Virgin Atlantic either let passengers bring their own cylinders or made no charges.

Mr Ainger said the oxygen was as vital to people with breathing difficulties as a wheelchair to those who struggle to walk.

He said there was no justification for this "tax on the disabled", adding: "To refuse patients the right to carry medical equipment which has been classified as safe and then to charge large sums for alternative provision is outrageous."