BA flight 422, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft, was evacuated on the runway shortly after arriving at Valencia airport on Monday afternoon (5 August). According to the union, there were more than 40 fume events in June alone this year.
Unite is currently supported 51 high court actions against five UK airlines. It is calling for airlines to use safer oils to lubricate jet engines and fit cabin air filters.
Citing “independent expert evidence”, the union claims the air in most commercial airline cabins can cause “irreversible neurological damage and chronic illness” to “susceptible individuals”.
Howard Beckett, Unite assistant general secretary for legal affairs, said: “This latest fume event is deeply alarming. British Airways has some serious questions to answer regarding the safety of the aircraft, in addition to providing health and safety guarantees for our cabin crew members.
“The airline industry cannot continue to hide from the issue of toxic cabin air whilst placing the health and safety of aircrew at risk. Independent expert evidence concludes air onboard jet planes can contain a toxic mix of chemicals and compounds that potentially damage the nervous system and may lead to chronic irreversible health problems in susceptible individuals.
“We need a public inquiry into the extent of fume events and toxic cabin air. The airline industry must start to take responsibility and clean up the cabin air on jet planes.”
TTG has approached BA for comment.
Pilots union Balpa has praised the BA crew onboard Monday’s flight for their reaction to the incident while calling for BA to investigate.
