By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: US Airlines Call for End to Mask Mandate
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > US Airlines Call for End to Mask Mandate

US Airlines Call for End to Mask Mandate

Fraser Watt
Last updated: 25 March 2022 06:59
By Fraser Watt 3 Min Read
Share
mask mandate extended in the US
© Rudy Dong
SHARE

US airlines have called on the US government to drop its mask mandate for air passengers.

The CEOs of the country’s airlines have also questioned the continued need for pre-departure testing for international travellers.

Despite falling COVID-19 cases across the US and restrictions subsequently being lifted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Transportation Security Administration extended its mask mandate by 30 days earlier this month, requiring airline mask guidelines to remain in place.

Mandate “no longer aligned” with environment

In a letter addressed to US President Joe Biden and cosigned by the CEOs of 10 US-based passenger and cargo airlines, including American Airlines, Delta and United, the coalition stress that whilst they did originally support the mandate, changing circumstances mean they no longer believe it is necessary.

“Now is the time for the administration to sunset federal transportation travel restrictions, including the international pre-departure testing requirement and the federal mask mandate, that are no longer aligned with the realities of the current epidemiological environment.

The persistent and steady decline of hospitalisation and death rates are the most compelling indicators that our country is well protected against severe disease from COVID-19. Given that we have entered a different phase of dealing with this virus, we strongly support your view that ‘COVID-19 need no longer control our lives.'”

Delta B767. Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz
Delta also released its own statement stressing passengers would not be barred from wearing their own face masks | © Miguel Ángel Sanz

Employees bear the brunt of passenger frustration

Airline employees have beared the brunt of passenger fury over masks for the past two years and despite a decrease in the number of overall passengers, cases of passenger disruption have skyrocketed, leading to thousands of passengers being banned by airlines. The struggle to deal with unruly passengers was specifically mentioned in the letter:

“This is not a function they are trained to perform and subjects them to daily challenges by frustrated customers. This in turn takes a toll on their own well-being.”

The letter goes on to draw attention to the “competitive disadvantage” faced by US airlines as rivals in the UK, EU and Canada no longer are required to enforce mask-wearing on their services.

With a mandate at odds to neighbours and the country’s own health protection agency, whether or not the Biden administration will reconsider the mandate prior to its current expiration date remains anyone’s guess.

Do you think it is time for the US airline mask mandate to end? Let us know in the comments below.

You Might Also Like

Belfast International Airport Unveils First Upgrade in £100 Million Plan

Air Canada and The Landline Company Extend Agreement for Luxury Land-Air Connections

How travel can be a learning experience

Travel as a Topic for a Reflective Essay

United Airlines Ventures Invests in Twelve for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Fraser Watt
By Fraser Watt
Jr Journalist - A little about me coming soon!
Previous Article How has Ukraine affected global aviation?
Next Article Frankfurt, Germany - August 16, 2019: Landing approach of Boeing 787 of Japan Airlines at Frankfurt International Airport. Japan Airlines (JAL) is the flag carrier of Japan, founded in 1951 and headquartered in Shinagawa, Japan. Is It Safe To Fly Over The North Pole?
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Great Mosque of Cordoba © Shutterstock
Abbas Sherif Alaskari: Exploring the World with an Architect’s Eye
Aviation Did You Know Travel
The Bridge lounge © Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Reopens Hong Kong International Airport’s The Bridge Lounge
Airlines Airports Travel
Aeroplane with colourful tail and engines, flying against a backdrop of a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The scene feels calm and serene.
Open call: TAP Air Portugal second edition of Altitude Film Fest
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
Avianca Cargo Airbus A320 © Fabio Augusto Valencia
Avianca Cargo Appoints New CEO Diogo Elias
Airlines Aviation
Waterfront view of Hangzhou skyline, showcasing modern architecture with futuristic skyscrapers and the distinctive Lotus-Flower-Shaped building under a clear blue sky, reflecting in the river.
Emirates launches daily Dubai-Hangzhou flights this July
Airlines Aviation Route Development
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?