A CAMPAIGN calling on airlines to carry defibrillators on all aircraft is gathering pace.

A petition created following the inquest into the death of 47-year-old Davina Tavener, a mother of two from Heaton who died on a flight to Lanzarote, has now collected more than 22,000 signatures.

The plea was set up by David Makinson, who was born with a complex congenital heart condition and has an implanted cardiac defibrillator that will restart his heart if he suffers from a potentially fatal heart arrhythmia.

He says people who have signed up to the petition are "angry" and "shocked" that some airlines do not have the potentially lifesaving devices onboard.

The 51-year-old, from Lostock, said: "People are quite shocked that all airlines are not required to carry them as a matter of course. They are surprised, because this is a no-brainer.

"We are hoping to reach more than 100,000 signatures, and get high profile backing to take it to the next level."

The petition was originally focused at all airlines, but Mr Makinson has now focused it on Ryanair.

He claims that after analysing Ryanair's accounts, it would cost 0.065 per cent of the Irish airline's post tax profit to equip the whole fleet with defibrillators.

There are currently no rules which force UK airlines to carry defibrillators, but many airlines offering international flights such as Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates do so.

Ryanair and other budget airlines such as BMI Regional do not carry defibrillators, but EasyJet does.

In 2004, officials in America made it a legal requirement for defibrillators to be carried on foreign and domestic flights.

Ryanair previously said that it would continue to fully comply with all regulatory requirements.

Mrs Tavener, a mother of two, was found in an “unresponsive” condition after going to the toilet on a Ryanair flight, and is thought to have had an undiagnosed heart condition.

Defibrillators are commonplace among sports clubs, schools and community centres, with the fundraising work of the Bolton ICD Support Group, which has handed out 100 units to groups across the town.

In February 2013 The Bolton News teamed up with Bolton West MP Julie Hilling to launch the Every School-Leaver a Lifesaver campaign to teach CPR in Bolton schools, which is aimed at teaching pupils what to do if someone is suffering cardiac arrest, choking or bleeding.

To view Mr Makinson’s petition, visit http://chn.ge/1GsPiXG