Mandatory face masks on flights 'could be enforced for years'

UK airlines are seeking "international consistency" before lifting the face mask rule, and have said they will ‘act as one’ when easing measures, with different restrictions around the world meaning they are unable to act individually, as face masks on flights will reportedly be one of the last measures to be lifted.

Experts have said that wearing face masks on flights will be one of the last Covid measures to be dropped globally and could be enforced for several years to come, as different coronavirus measures around the world will mean airlines are unable to move individually in allowing passengers to travel without coverings, airline sources have told The Times newspaper.

Other travel rules are being eased by individual governments, with tests for fully vaccinated arrivals in England being scrapped from this Friday, 11th February, but The Times reports that UK carriers are seeking "international consistency" before lifting the rule on masks, and will "act as one" when easing measures.

A senior aviation source said: "Until there is a harmonised lifting of mask mandates on flights by governments worldwide it is simpler for airlines to keep the rules in place." The guidelines say that masks should be worn for the duration of flights, except when eating and drinking.

Most British airlines are following guidelines from bodies including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Virgin Atlantic told Sky News that they are adhering to guidance from international and local aviation regulators and governments, and has no plans to lift the face mask measure yet. "We continue to work together across the industry to see when changes can be made, however until further notice, we will require all customers and crew to continue to wear face masks for the duration of their flights, as well as at airports," they said in a statement.

Neil Sorahan, the chief financial officer of Ryanair, also said that there were no plans to change the rules. He said: "Masks will be something that will be with us for a while longer to come. If that is the price we have to pay for the next few months, into summer, it's a small price to pay."

He said the mask rule would remain in place, similar to how rules on passengers removing liquids from hand luggage at security have been kept over the years.