Aircraft cabin air better than in other crowded places: ATSB survey

Sydney: An Australian Transport Safety Bureau survey tends to debunk the popular notion that the the risk of contracting an infectious disease during air travel is high. The survey shows that the quality and quantity of air filtered through a modern aircraft cabin is actually far better than in other crowded places.

''Despite the popular view that the risk of contracting an infectious disease during air travel is high, the available evidence suggests otherwise,'' says the bureau, which undertook the study in line with continuing public concern over the risk of disease transmission in aircraft cabins.

According to the bureau, outside air entering an aircraft cabin at altitude is essentially sterile, ''and the high airflow rates, laminar airflow pattern and frequent air exchanges of an aircraft cabin ventilation system minimise the spread of infection on board aircraft.''

Air particle filtration systems installed on modern aircraft are considered to be more effective than aircraft cabins using re-circulatory ventilation systems.

''Considering the large number of flights each day, reported cases of transmission of infection in an aircraft cabin have been relatively infrequent,'' says the report, according to AAP.

It said that infection transmissions have involved close contact.

''This suggests that the risk of transmission within an aircraft cabin is no greater than in other crowded and confined spaces, provided circulation and filtration systems are working properly."

The report, however, warned that passengers still need to consider their fitness to fly - not only for the sake of their own health, but also for that of other passengers.