Travel Safety Update.

For more safety & security news, data and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Aug 21, 2006

Ear pain is the most common medical problem when flying a survey commissioned by Deafness Research UK has discovered. 34.3% of those scrutinized have experienced ear pain during a flight. The second most common condition is swollen feet or ankles (18.8%) and 14.9% have experienced stress, anxiety or "air rage" during a flight. Only 28.6% of people have never experienced a medical problem while flying. The charity, chaired by Lord Ashley the former MP, is launching a new series of tips to help flyers overcome ear pain or discomfort. A leaflet, called In-Flight Ear Health, is now available and gives practical tips on preventing ear discomfort including guidance for hearing aid users and parents of children with glue ear. It will be interesting to see with the introduction of the Boeing 787, and further on Airbus A350 XWB with their cabin altitudes more tuned to what we expect at sea level, whether this makes any difference to airborne ailments. http://www.deafnessresearch.org.uk Aug 19, 2006

Laptop batteries may pose hazard for airliners, regulators say. Some transportation and product safety officials believe the batteries in laptop computers put airplanes at risk. Since 2003, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented 339 cases of lithium and lithium-ion batteries for portable electronics overheating, emitting smoke and fumes or exploding. An Air Transport Association spokeswoman says it is too early for ATA to judge the issue but that airlines will comply with whatever rules safety regulators determine. Aug 14, 2006

Lung ailments no longer prevent travelers from flying. Travelers with chronic lung problems are now able to fly because many airlines allow supplemental oxygen aboard their planes. Critics note that some people with lung problems have other health issues, such as heart disease or kidney problems, that make it unsafe for them to fly. Aug 14, 2006

Researchers search for solutions to jet lag. As the economy becomes more global, researchers are boosting their efforts to find remedies for jet lag. Some researchers say the hormone melatonin is useful for resetting a person's body clock; others recommend a combination of napping and caffeine for fighting off jet lag. Aug 14, 2006

Air France Quali-audit, an Air France Consulting subsidiary, launched operation as an IATA Operational Safety Audit Organization. It will employ 18 auditors from major airlines. Aug 14, 2006

British Airways

British Airways has sold its travel clinic business to MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travelers Abroad) following the decision to close the Piccadilly travel shop (and all the travel shops throughout the country). Travelers in central London requiring one to one advice, inoculations, including Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A, will find the nearest MASTA clinic at 52 Margaret Street, just north of Oxford Circus. There are over 30 MASTA clinics around the country and the organization has been appointed British Airways Preferred Partner for travel health services. http://www.masta-travel-health.com http://www.ba.com Aug 19, 2006

Los Angeles airport

Glitches suggest serious problem at Los Angeles airport. Four air traffic control glitches in one month suggest that something serious is awry at Los Angeles International Airport, the Los Angeles Times editorial board writes. The Federal Aviation Administration maintains the system and has not yet explained why the problems occurred. Investigators should determine the cause of the problem before someone is hurt or killed, the board writes. Aug 17, 2006

FAA promises to fix glitch at Los Angeles airport. The Federal Aviation Administration says it will fix a glitch that has caused delays at Los Angeles international Airport. FAA officials deny charges of systemic maintenance problems at the airport and say they will keep a full-time technician at LAX to maintain the equipment. Aug 16, 2006