Swine flu: Airlines want doctor’s note
21st July 2009
Two UK airlines are refusing to fly passengers who are exhibiting possible swine flu symptoms unless they have a doctor’s note.
Both British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic have announced new measures for passengers with flu-like symptoms. They say those passengers will need a doctor’s note saying they are fit to fly before they’ll be allowed to board.
Doctors’ groups have condemned the move. Dr Peter Holden, the British Medical Association’s lead representative on pandemic flu, told The Times newspaper that the move was “a total and utter waste of time”.
He added: “A fit-note is only going to be valid at the moment of issue. You could easily become ill between leaving the GP’s surgery and reaching the airport. It flies in the face of government efforts to relieve pressure on doctors, and we have much more important work to do than this.”
Passengers with sore throats, runny noses and headaches are being targeted by airlines at check-in.
BA has caused controversy by not allowing passengers who are not allowed to fly the opportunity to rebook, unless they have a flexible ticket. Instead, the airline says passengers must claim the cost of their travel back via their travel insurance.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is warning travellers to make sure they have adequate travel insurance.