Filenews 1 February 2022
The use of a protective mask against the coronavirus will be imperative on flights for years to come, because different international protocols make it impossible to withdraw the rule, experts warn.
The confusion and the mix of different international regulations that apply and will continue to apply as everything indicates for the containment of the pandemic, "indicate" that face masks will remain on flights for years.
Why especially on the plane?
The mandatory wearing of masks will be one of the last restrictions to be lifted worldwide, experts predict.
In other words, it will be almost impossible for individual airlines to allow their passengers to travel without a face covering, due to the mixing of international rules.
"Until there is a harmonised lifting of mask orders on flights by governments around the world, it is simpler for airlines to abide by the rules in place," a senior source from the aviation industry told the Times.
UK airlines in particular expect "to act as 'one' when measures are relaxed and seek "international consistency" and coordination.
The price is low
Neil Sorahan, Ryanair's chief financial officer, told the newspaper that the masks will be "with us for a while longer" and that this is a "small price" by comparison.
He compared the masks to the emergency measures introduced in 2006 to restrict passengers taking liquids in their hand luggage after police prevented a terrorist attack.
An airline source added to the newspaper: "Like supermarkets, we will almost certainly maintain the same policy until the movement is safe." For example, the rules in the U.S. are very clear about masks." It would be ridiculous for us to ask passengers to wear them only when we enter their airspace."
