British regional airline Flybe has announced it will remove all peanuts and nut-based products from its flights from July 1.
Flybe said it wanted to improve the passenger experience for severe allergy sufferers.
However it added that no public environment can ever be guaranteed to be completely nut-free, and recommended that passengers continue to check packaging before consuming anything.
“Passenger safety is our number one priority, and this extends across all aspects of our own operation,” Roy Kinnear, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“That is why we take the issue of nut allergies extremely seriously and, as an additional measure to those already being taken, have now removed all peanuts and nut-based products from our on board Café Flybe menu.”
The measure will apply to flights “owned and operated” by Flybe. The short-haul airline was saved earlier this year when it was acquired by a Virgin Atlantic-led consortium.
Airlines vary in their policies around potential allergens. While many follow IATA recommendations, which include carrying adequate medical supplies and making sure all cabin crew are trained in first aid, not all have stopped serving nut products or started offering nut-free meals.
Earlier this year a US Department of Transportation ruling strengthened the rights of air passengers with food allergies, which if severe are considered a disability under the Air Carrier Access Act.
The ruling means airlines must offer pre-boarding to passengers with a disability who identify at the gate as needing additional time or assistance to board. In the case of a nut allergy this could mean boarding early to wipe down your seat and the surrounding area.
Read our guide to travelling with allergies here:
