Chief executives of major U.S. airlines and carriers on Wednesday urged President Joe Biden to lift “outdated” federal mask-wearing orders on planes, as well as the requirement for international pre-flight testing.
“The time has come for the administration to lift federal travel restrictions, including the requirement for international pre-flight testing and the federal mask mandate, which no longer meet the realities of the current epidemiological situation,” the administration wrote in a letter from the airline. for the Board of Directors of America (A4A).
Earlier this month, Biden decided to extend the mandate until April 18, when it was originally supposed to expire on March 18.
It’s unclear if the administration will continue to renew the mandate as infection rates continue to fall, or if it will finally end in April after two years of flight controversy over mask requirements.
The letter continues: “It is very important to recognize that the burden of enforcing both masks and pre-departure testing has been on our employees for two years now.”
“This is not a function they are trained to perform, and it puts them to the daily test of frustrated customers. This, in turn, affects their own well-being.”
“We are asking for this action not only for the benefit (sic) of passengers,” the letter added, “but also for the thousands of airline employees tasked with enforcing the patchwork of obsolete regulations introduced in response to COVID-19. 19.’
Ten executives from leading airlines sent a letter calling on President Joe Biden to lift mask-wearing requirements on planes and pre-departure testing requirements for international flights.
“We are asking for this action not only for the benefit of (sic) passengers, but also for the thousands of airline employees tasked with enforcing the patchwork of outdated regulations introduced in response to COVID-19,” the letter said.
Air travel industry leaders insist that immunity, extra camouflage, hospital-grade cabin air and sufficient vaccine availability “provide a solid basis for lifting administration mandates.” More than 50% of the population in each state is vaccinated against coronavirus
Leaders say it “doesn’t make sense” that Americans can now congregate in other crowded places without masks on the ground – like restaurants and entertainment venues – but are still required to comply with the airborne mandate.
Correspondence demanding changes to air travel precautions was signed by executives from Alaska Air Group, American Airlines, Atlas Air Worldwide, Delta Airlines, FedEx Express, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines Holdings, UPS Airlines and Airlines for America.
It was addressed to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mallorcas, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klein, Presidential Adviser Steve Ricchetti, outgoing COVID response coordinator Jeffrey Zients, and National Economic Council director Brian. Diz.
Air cargo and passenger leaders insist that immunity, an additional mask, hospital-grade cabin air, sufficient vaccine availability and new therapeutics “provide the Administration with a solid basis on which to lift the mask mandate and pre-flight testing requirements.”
We urge you to do so now.
When it comes to in-flight camouflage, CEOs point out that several studies have concluded that aircraft cabins are one of the safest spaces due to their high degree of air filtration and continuous airflow.
The CEOs lamented that their employees have been tasked with enforcing mask-wearing rules for two years now, which “is not a function for which they are trained and exposes them to daily challenges from frustrated customers.” This, in turn, affects their own well-being.”
The incidence of COVID-19 infections in the US is declining significantly, especially since the surge in Omicron variant over the winter.
“Science clearly supports the abolition of the mask mandate, as evidenced by a recently published [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] framework indicating that 99% of the US population no longer needs to wear masks indoors,” the letter reads.
“Abolishing the mandatory wearing of masks at airports and on board aircraft can be done safely, as England did. It is important to note, they added, that the effectiveness and availability of high-quality masks for those who choose to wear them gives passengers the opportunity to further protect themselves if they choose to do so.
“It doesn’t make sense that people are still required to wear masks on planes, but they are allowed to gather at crowded restaurants, schools and sporting events without masks, despite the fact that none of these places have a protective air filtration system that are on airplanes.
More than 6.1 million people have died from COVID-19 worldwide, with almost 1 million of those cases in the US alone, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The letter demanding changes to air travel was signed by executives from Alaska, American, Atlas Air Worldwide, Delta, FedEx Express, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and Airlines for America.
The infection rate has dropped to pre-peak levels and is one of the lowest levels since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
The number of dates is also declining, but is approaching the 1 million mark.