Airline Disinsection FAQ
Airline Disinsection FAQ
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that travel agents refer consumers to a page on the Department's website that lists countries that require airlines to treat passenger cabins with insecticide. The DOT requirement applies only to airline travel to a country listed on that website. You may access the U.S. DOT website page by clicking on the following link: http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/safetyenergyenv/disinsection.htm
Q: Where does Tauck go where disinsection is required?
A: Australia, China, Cuba, Ecuador, India, New Zealand and Panama.
Q: What does disinsection of aircraft mean?
A: Spraying insecticide in or applying it to passenger cabins on aircraft.
Q: How are aircraft disinsected?
A: Three methods of disinsection are currently permitted under international law in
order to protect public health, agriculture and the environment:
1. Spraying the passenger cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are on board. Countries using this method are China, Cuba, Ecuador (Galápagos and Interisland) and India.
2. Treating the passenger cabin’s interior surfaces with a residual insecticide while passengers are not on board. Countries using this method are Australia and New Zealand.
3. Spraying the passenger cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are not on board. This method is currently adopted only by Panama and American Samoa and the only Panama currently uses this method.
Q: Do passengers experience any side effects?
A: The World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that aircraft disinsection, if performed appropriately, does not present a risk to human health; however, it was also noted that some individuals might experience transient discomfort following aircraft disinsection by aerosol application.
Q: I have asthma; will this affect me more?
A: It would be best for you to contact your physician for advice.
Q: When did airlines start disinsection?
A: This has been a longtime practice performed around the world since the 1930s.
Q: What happens if I want to cancel my reservation?
A: If you choose to cancel your reservation because of disinsection, normal cancellation penalties will apply.