Ruth Christoffersen: surprised by decision

Victims of DVT and their supporters have been convinced that long-haul air travel caused the condition - but legal costs have put potential claimants off taking legal action.

Welsh MP John Smith - whose constituency, the Vale of Glamorgan, includes Cardiff International Airport - has expressed his delight at the surprise decision by the airline to waive costs if claimants lose their cases.

"This unprecedented move is welcome news and hopefully other airlines will follow suit," he said.

"Bringing cases to court raises awareness in the general public of the dangers of DVT and long-haul flying, and victims are undoubtedly put off by the huge legal costs if they lose."

Mr Smith said he hoped other airlines would follow suit.

The claimants have faced continued legal battles

"We believe as many as 1,400 people a year could be dying unnecessarily from this condition in Britain alone," he added.

"We are still waiting for definitive research to be undertaken. The last published study suggests as many as one in 100 air travellers develops a potentially life-threatening DVT.

Last year, campaigners hit a major setback when they lost a Court of Appeal bid to overturn a legal ruling blocking their claims for compensation.

The claimants described the decision as a "major blow", but decided to take their fight to the House of Lords.

The news that BA will not claim costs if the legal challenges fail have been welcomed by the families of those who died after suffering flying-related DVT.

Ruth Christoffersen, whose daughter Emma died in 2000 after suffering DVT on a flight from Sydney, said : "Everyone is so taken aback by their decision.

"Now that we have got to the House of Lords, my husband and I know we have done all we can."