UK Airlines To Bar Passengers With H1N1 Symptoms From Boarding

by Yuliya Talmazan | July 19, 2009 at 04:03 pm

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If we have concerns about a customer or the customer is concerned, then we have a 24-hour medical service we can call to give advice to staff...There have been a number of cases where we have advised customers not to fly on the basis of their diagnosis or symptoms of H1N1.

British Airways spokeswoman

British airlines have begun their “war on swine flu” by instructing the check-in staff to watch out for swine flu symptoms in passengers. Passengers with suspected H1N1 infections can be prevented from boarding their flights.

British Airways confirmed today that it is stepping up the measures to limit the spread of the swine flu. The airline’s staff has been instructed as to what symptoms to watch out for in screening its passengers. The staff will have to alert medical personal of any suspicious cases. Doctors would than investigate the cases and possibly bar the sick passengers from their flights. The airline noted only a small number of passengers have been diverted so far.

Another British airline Virgin Atlantic has taken on the same screening measures. The spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic noted that passengers with symptoms would be allowed to fly only with a 'fit-to-fly' document from their doctor or hospital.

Flight cancellations due to swine flu will be covered by travel insurance, noted ABTA - The travel association, representing travel agents and tour operators.

It is estimated that the UK has had 55,000 new cases of H1N1 infection just last week. Twenty-nine people are believed to have died from the disease so far in the UK.