Monarch slammed for ‘health and safety’ excuses
Monarch Airlines has been accused of using ‘health and safety’ excuses to cover up poor customer service.
Passenger Zoe Hammon, 26, from Shropshire, said the airline’s cabin crew would not give her a blanket when she was cold on a flight back from Turkey, citing ‘strict’ health and safety reasons.
Instead she was told she could buy a £5 sleep pack which included a blanket, blow-up pillow and eye mask.
On her return she complained to the Government’s Health and Safety Executive which has a Myth Busters Challenge panel to vet the misuse of health and safety legislation.
Having spoken to the CAA, it found that there are no health and safety regulations preventing a blanket being given out.
An HSE spokesman told the Daily Mail: "There are no health and safety regulations to prevent an airline providing blankets. It would be helpful for the airline to explain the real reasons for their decisions rather than attributing it to health and safety.
"This is a blatant case of health and safety being used gratuitously as a cover up for poor customer service and/or a commercial decision."
A Monarch spokesman said: "Whilst on-board our aircraft passenger comfort remains one of our top priorities.
"On short haul ZB flights passengers are able to purchase a £5 Comfort kit on-board which includes a blanket, eye mask and blow up neck pillow. However on long haul MON flights blankets and pillows are provided complimentary.
"We will be looking into the claim made by Ms Hammond."
By Diane Evans
Diane
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