IATA calls for passenger face covering, crew masks
Published: 10:05 AM,May 06,2020 | EDITED : 03:05 PM,May 06,2024
Muscat: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said supports the wearing of face coverings for passengers and masks for the crew while onboard aircraft as a critical part of a layered approach to biosecurity to be implemented temporarily when people return to traveling by air. IATA does not support mandating social distancing measures that would leave ‘middle seats’ empty.
Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is low. Mask-wearing by passengers and crew will reduce the already low risk while avoiding the dramatic cost increases to air travel that onboard social distancing measures would bring.
“The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. The aviation industry is working with governments to re-start flying when this can be done safely. Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission onboard aircraft is low. And we will take measures—such as the wearing of face coverings by passengers and masks by the crew—to add extra layers of protection. We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable. One without the other will have no lasting benefit,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
IATA recommends mandatory face-coverings for passengers and masks for the crew as one of several actions to reduce the already low risk of contracting COVID-19 onboard aircraft.
In addition to face coverings, these layers of temporary biosecurity measures being proposed include:
- Temperature screening of passengers, airport workers, and travelers,
- Boarding and deplaning processes that reduce contact with other passengers or crew,
- Limiting movement within the cabin during flight,
- More frequent and deeper cabin cleaning; and
- Simplified catering procedures that lower crew movement and interaction with passengers.