An ex-pilot's almost two decades-long battle with airline companies over toxic fumes has finally ended.

John Hoyte is a former pilot currently living in Bracondale, Norwich, who quit the profession in 2005 after suffering adverse reactions, dizziness, slurring and headaches.

The 67-year-old believes that contaminated air inside planes poisoned him and founded a group called the Aerotoxic Association, or 'Group A'.

Norwich Evening News: Former pilot, John Hoyte, outside the Aerotoxic Association building in 2014Former pilot, John Hoyte, outside the Aerotoxic Association building in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

The group all believe that potentially thousands of aircrew and passengers may have been poisoned by contaminated air when flying.

However, Mr Hoyte is ready to hang it up after an almost 20-year battle to resume his flying simulator business in Warwickshire.

Norwich Evening News: There have been reports of people getting sick from the fumes which inhabit aeroplanesThere have been reports of people getting sick from the fumes which inhabit aeroplanes (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "I've been campaigning for 17 years now, more years than I've actually been a pilot - 16 years - so I've decided to retire from it all.

"This issue, of a fundamental design flaw in most public transport jets, won't go away but it's not our problem.

"There seems to be no interest whatsoever in Norfolk around this health and safety problem which began in the 90s so it's time for me to move on."

Norwich Evening News: Mr Hoyte said he's decided to retire from campaigning against airlines on the matterMr Hoyte said he's decided to retire from campaigning against airlines on the matter (Image: Newsquest)

A bill introduced to Congress last month by California senator John Garamendi aims to address the fact the air people breathe on planes comes directly from the jet engines.

The legislation would potentially require aeroplanes to be equipped with sensors to detect air contamination from heated engine oil or other mechanical failures.

Norwich Evening News: A bill introduced to US Congress last month aims to address the fact the air people breathe on planes comes directly from the jet enginesA bill introduced to US Congress last month aims to address the fact the air people breathe on planes comes directly from the jet engines (Image: Skitterphoto/Pexels)

The Aeroxtoxic Association believes the current system on most commercial planes - of drawing air for the cabin through the engine - is flawed because if a fault occurs in the seals of the engine.

This is known as a 'fume event' where the air will be exposed to potentially harmful oil particles which then pass into the cabin.

Complaints by pilots, air crew and passengers following exposure to such chemicals range from migraines, tiredness and breathing problems, to memory loss and depression.