Brussels, 24/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, has asked airline companies to inform their passengers of risks linked to problems of blood circulation (thrombosis and embolism) on long-haul flights. In a letter to the President of the Association of European Airline Companies, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, the Commissioner considers that "the risk has not to be underestimated" and says she "is convinced that precautionary measures should be taken immediately". She urges companies to inform passengers when purchasing their tickets, and to broadcast advice when security measures are announced at the beginning of flights. The alarm was set off among the public following the death of a young 28-year old woman from embolism on a flight between Europe and Australia.