Ill? Airlines want you to say so

ALARMED AT the increasing number of passenger deaths, airlines are pushing for a mandatory disclosure of fliers? medical history before a ticket is issued. In the past two months, six passengers have died in Mumbai alone.

ALARMED AT the increasing number of passenger deaths, airlines are pushing for a mandatory disclosure of fliers’ medical history before a ticket is issued. In the past two months, six passengers have died in Mumbai alone.

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If the disclosure norm is approved by civil aviation authorities, passengers would have to detail their ailments or any medical condition they might have. They would have to fill in a disclosure form at the time of buying the ticket.

In case of an adverse medical history, a passenger would have to furnish a doctor’s certificate saying he/she is fit to fly.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), the airlines’ apex body, is lobbying for disclosure. “There must be mandatory disclosure of health details,” said Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher. But Air Passengers’ Association of India’s Sudhakar Reddy said: “Seeking health records is unjustified and impractical.”