The International Health Regulations give Port Health Authorities the power to require aircraft to be disinsected to prevent the risk of insects spreading disease such as malaria or dengue fever.

Failure to spray the cabin may result in disembarkation being refused and remedial treatment being undertaken on arrival. Disinsection is sometimes required even when malarial prophylactics are not necessary.

On routes where the airline is required to spray, the crew will read out a brief statement advising passengers that spraying is about to take place. This will give passengers the opportunity to cover their eyes and nose if they wish. The spray dissipates from the aircraft in a few minutes.

The content of the spray used by British Airways is designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is based on the insecticide d-phenothrin. Spray cans contain 2.9% d-phenothrin by weight, 57.1% isoparaffinic solvent and 40% HFC R 134a propellant. A WHO expert committee on the safe use of pesticides has agreed there is no evidence to suggest these insecticides present any toxic hazard to the passengers or crew - provided the correct procedures are followed.

The solvent and propellant currently in use are designed to be non-ozone depleting.

Disinsection is mandatory for the following routes:

* Flights operated by B’Med
** Flights operated by GB Airways

SUPPORTING NOTES

Australia’s Quarantine
Aircraft entering Australia and New Zealand require to be sprayed twice initially with Permethrin residual insecticide, and secondly with a Phenothrin spray.
India’s Policy
India requires disinsection to take place no matter the port of origin.

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