HIV AND UK AVIATION

That this House welcomes the decision by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow applications for Class 1 Medical Certificates to people living with HIV, which previously prevented otherwise capable pilots from taking up employment as Commercial Airline Pilots; recognises the medical evidence that was being used to justify the outdated CAA rule was published in 2007 and that advances in HIV medicine and treatment render such evidence out of date; notes that under the Equality Act 2010, HIV is recognised as a disability and protected characteristic which should protect people living with HIV from employment discrimination; recognises that this welcome announcement brings the UK in line with a number of progressive countries worldwide who currently allow people living with HIV to become Commercial Airline Pilots, including The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and New Zealand; and urges the CAA to work closely with HIV charities and organisations during this process to ensure the rule changes effectively meet the needs of people living with HIV.