§ Baroness Greengrossasked Her Majesty's Government:
What conclusion the Joint Aviation Authorities reached on the need for common European standards for airline seat spacing; and whether their findings took account of the impact of the ageing and increasing longevity of Europe's population. [HL1816]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamI refer the noble Baroness to the Answer on 16 September 2003 (Official Report col. WA 172). The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) did not reach a conclusion on the need for common European standards for airline seat spacing.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) assumed responsibility for the design standards of most aircraft manufactured and operated in the European Union on 28 September 2003; this includes standards for airline seat spacing. The agency's draft rulemaking programme for 2005–07 recognises that the issue of seat spacing needs to be investigated, including the potential relationship to deep venous thrombosis (DVT).