On Friday Labour MP John Smith, chairman of the all party parliamentary group on travel related DVT, published an Aviation Health Bill which aims to place a duty of care on airlines for the health of their passengers.

Forum Response: Virgin Atlantic

A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic told ePolitix.com: "Despite there not yet having been a conclusive scientific study into any possible link between air travel and DVT, we at Virgin Atlantic do our best to ensure that passengers are fully advised of the best methods to minimise any potential risk.

"The health and well being of our passengers is always our first priority and we listen carefully to advice from respected medical experts.

"Virgin Atlantic is very supportive of an in-depth international scientific study into DVT, carried out by medical and scientific experts, such as that recently launched by the World Health Organisation.

"In the meantime, it remains our view that it would not be sensible for any government to take precipitous action until the WHO report has been published."

Forum Response: British Airways

A spokesman for British Airways told ePolitix.com: "We believe there is a need for designated body to co-ordinate issues related to aviation health and very much welcome the creation by the government of a new Aviation Health Unit to do just that.

"This is a move we have supported for some while and we look forward to offering it whatever support we can.

"We would like to reassure the travelling public that British Airways takes the health and well-being of its passengers extremely seriously.

"For nearly a decade, British Airways has provided its passengers with advice about well being in the air through information in ticket wallets, on the internet, on-board videos, over the phone and in the in-flight magazine."