At the weekend it was reported records held by the Civil Aviation Authority showed many pilots and members of cabin crew had reported feeling dizzy and unwell during flights.

In three years, more than 100 incidents were reported – including some involving BA and BA CitiExpress flights.

Research also claims almost 200,000 passengers are affected by fumes during flights.

The symptoms suffered by many, which it is claimed have included nausea and airline staff losing consciousness, have been blamed on noxious fumes, possibly caused by toxic chemicals in aircraft engine oil entering the cabin through the ventilation system.

In some reports pilots told the CAA they had to don oxygen masks to recover and some admitted making mistakes while landing or taking off.

The accounts recorded by aircraft crews were supported by University College London research, which suggested almost 200,000 passengers every year are affected by fumes. The impact can be similar to 'mild flu-like symptoms' or more serious, the study said.

The UCL research added the fumes could impact on a pilot's ability to handle the aircraft.

The weekend report, in the Observer newspaper, claimed the BAe 146 aircraft, used on some Isle of Man routes, is particularly prone to the problem.

However, a spokesman for BA Citiexpress said Island flights were not affected.

'We know of no incidences where the crew have raised concerns about fumes in the cockpit of flights to or from the Isle of Man,' she said.

'The health and safety of our staff and passengers is of utmost importance to us and we would never operate an aircraft that we believed posed a health or safety risk.

'BA and its franchise partners operate almost 500,000 flights-a-year around the world in a safe and professional manner.'

The spokesman added: 'We work continuously with the aircraft and engine manufacturers to ensure that our aircraft are operated and maintained to the highest industry standards, and indeed, have pursued standards beyond those required by the manufacturers and the CAA to achieve the best possible performance.'

She said fumes are an 'industry-wide' issue and, in relation to the BAe 146 aircraft, relate to how a set of seals in the engines were fitted to a large number of planes.

'We are working with the engine manufacturer and will look to implement a solution with each engine during their maintenance overhaul procedures,' the spokesman added.