91998E0770

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0770/98 by Gérard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Safety of children under the age of two in aeroplanes

Children under the age of two can fly free of charge or at very cheap rates. They are not reserved a seat and must therefore sit on the knees of a parent or accompanying adult.

No arrangements are made for the safety of such children.

Very few airline companies provide belts that can be fitted to the accompanying adult's safety belt. Similarly, companies very seldom provide lifejackets for such children during flights over the sea.

No instructions are given about how oxygen masks should be used for such young children.

This failure to meet basic safety standards as regards prevention of the serious accidents that may arise when people are thrown out of their seats by turbulence is totally unacceptable.

What does the Commission intend to do to eliminate this serious threat to the safety of children under the age of two?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (13 May 1998)

Certain joint airworthiness requirements specifically relating to the safety of aircraft and introduced into Community legislation under Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 on the harmonization of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation ((OJ L 373, 31.12.1991. )), contain several references to the protection of children. In particular they relate to seat-retention systems for baby-seats or, at least, seat belts which can be adapted to the seat belts of the parents. These regulations also require provision for the replacement of life jackets that are too big for small children. No special reference has been deemed necessary relating to the use of oxygen masks.

These regulations mainly relate to children over the age of 2 years but they do not exclude children under that age. The Commission is aware of investigations currently undertaken by relevant bodies that aim for a better comprehension of the risks that the youngest children have to face in the event of emergencies in aviation. The results of these studies could eventually lead to proposals to modify existing international regulations but the Commission does not have evidence which would justify Community action at the present time.