NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 27/01/2010 00:00 -
Updated: 09/02/2010 15:09
A man who suffers from lung disease is campaigning to stop airlines charging passengers who need to use oxygen when travelling.
John Mugford, 58, from Emerson Valley, has enlisted the help of local MP Dr Phyllis Starkey to petition airline companies to stop preventing passengers from bringing their own oxygen cylinders on to planes and charging hundreds of pounds extra for them to use the oxygen that the airline provides.
Mr Mugford, who suffers from emphysema caused by a rare genetic condition known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, said he has been charged £200 previously by two airlines for the use of oxygen during two hour flights to Poland.
He has added his voice to The British Lung Foundation's 'Oxygen on Planes' campaign, which is encouraging other airlines to follow the example now being set by Thomson, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in ensuring that people with a lung condition do not have to pay extra.
Mr Mugford said: "It is difficult enough living with lung conditions requiring supplementary oxygen without having additional stress of dealing with airlines that clearly do not have adequate policies and procedures in place to support passengers with this disability.
"To refuse patients the right to carry medical equipment that has been certified as safe, and then to charge large sums for alternative provision, is outrageous.
"I hope that ministers will respond positively to end this blatant discrimination by some airlines against disabled passengers." A recent survey conducted by the PulmonaryHypertension Association discovered that two thirds of the 71 airlines included would not allow passengers to bring their own oxygen for use in-flight, less than a quarter of airlines supplied free supplemental oxygen and a quarter of airlines did not supply supplementary oxygen at all.
Dr Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South West, said: "It is outrageous that airline companies can charge an extra £50 to £500 to passengers who have breathing difficulties, even if they bring their own oxygen source.
"It is nothing more than a surcharge on disability".
"The majority of people on supplementary oxygen need it for 15 hours a day and so a portable oxygen supply creates the same degree of freedom and independence that a wheelchair gives to people with other disabilities".
Mr Mugford helps to run a national support group for people with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
■ For more information about the condition visit www.alpha1.org.uk
Mr Mugford, who suffers from emphysema caused by a rare genetic condition known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, said he has been charged £200 previously by two airlines for the use of oxygen during two hour flights to Poland.
He has added his voice to The British Lung Foundation's 'Oxygen on Planes' campaign, which is encouraging other airlines to follow the example now being set by Thomson, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in ensuring that people with a lung condition do not have to pay extra.
Mr Mugford said: "It is difficult enough living with lung conditions requiring supplementary oxygen without having additional stress of dealing with airlines that clearly do not have adequate policies and procedures in place to support passengers with this disability.
"To refuse patients the right to carry medical equipment that has been certified as safe, and then to charge large sums for alternative provision, is outrageous.
"I hope that ministers will respond positively to end this blatant discrimination by some airlines against disabled passengers." A recent survey conducted by the PulmonaryHypertension Association discovered that two thirds of the 71 airlines included would not allow passengers to bring their own oxygen for use in-flight, less than a quarter of airlines supplied free supplemental oxygen and a quarter of airlines did not supply supplementary oxygen at all.
Dr Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South West, said: "It is outrageous that airline companies can charge an extra £50 to £500 to passengers who have breathing difficulties, even if they bring their own oxygen source.
"It is nothing more than a surcharge on disability".
"The majority of people on supplementary oxygen need it for 15 hours a day and so a portable oxygen supply creates the same degree of freedom and independence that a wheelchair gives to people with other disabilities".
Mr Mugford helps to run a national support group for people with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
■ For more information about the condition visit www.alpha1.org.uk
