According to a recommendation by the European Union, the mask requirement on airplanes is to be removed soon. The EU authorities for air traffic safety EASA and health protection ECDC have recommended that the obligation to wear mouth and nose protection at airports and during flights be waived from May 16th. This is in line with the changed requirements for public transport from national authorities across Europe, said EASA boss Patrick Ky on Wednesday. Italy, France and other countries have already lifted corresponding corona measures.
However, the implementation is based on national regulations, which differ in the EU. Airlines should continue to encourage passengers to wear masks if this is still required for public transport in the country. That is the case in Germany. The Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL) called for this to be changed promptly.
BDL calls for the mask requirement to be lifted on planes
“From the point of view of the industry, the federal government should take the authorities’ decision as an opportunity and now lift the mask requirement on board aircraft,” explained the BDL. The mandatory proof of vaccination, convalescence status or negative corona test when entering via the airport is no longer comprehensible. Thanks to the ventilation systems, the risk of infection on board an aircraft is much lower than in most other areas of life and work. A spokeswoman for Lufthansa explained that the airline group is based on national guidelines. The masks can therefore only fall on the plane if the corresponding provision of the Infection Protection Act is changed.
ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said that while wearing face masks is no longer mandatory, this precaution, along with keeping your distance and washing your hands, is the best way to avoid contagion.