Airline bans all nuts on flight

AN AIRLINE has banned passengers from bringing nuts on to one of its flights to protect a three-year-old boy who could be harmed by peanut dust.

When passengers board the Air Europa flight from Humberside Airport to Mallorca on 2 October, they will be asked to dispose of any peanuts and nut snacks. The airline has agreed to the one-flight ban to remove any potential risk to Joseph Antcliff, from Hull. The airport has agreed to publicise the warning on the day of the flight.

It is thought to be the first time that an airline has imposed a temporary ban of this kind, and the move was yesterday welcomed by the air passenger watchdog, the Air Transport Users Council, as an innovative solution. But it warned that it could lead to similar demands from thousands of other travellers. Many airlines, including British Airways, already ban nuts from airline meals and have replaced complimentary peanuts with other snack foods such as pretzels.

Joseph Antcliff's parentssaid that even peanut dust from a packet opened near their son could send him into anaphylactic shock. His mother, Tammy, said: "There are a lot of people who like peanuts. There is just the chance that someone could take them on board."

Joseph is also allergic to fish and eggs, and his parents have had diet cards printed in Spanish to warn waiters and shopkeepers of their son's condition during the holiday.