After two years, a federal judge ruled today April 18 that mask mandate is «invalid», and major US airlines decided to subsequently drop the mask requirement for passengers and employees.
Delta, Alaska, and American Airlines have issued statements in which they inform passengers and crews that the mask requirement is «optional», and warn that compliance and enforcement may vary, as information is being transferred quickly but there is no way to guarantee a cohesive criterion within the first hours.
The White House acknowledged the ruling and decided not to appeal, thus rendering the mask mandate extension recently issued ineffective.
«Delta employees and customers may continue wearing masks if they so choose. Wearing a well-fitting mask protects the wearer, even if others around them are not wearing masks», said the Atlanta-based carrier in a statement.
American Airlines said that «In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights.»
«It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change. I could not be prouder of our frontline employees who have handled every pivot focusing on safety and the care we’re known for,” Max Tidwell, vice president of safety and security at Alaska Airlines, stated Monday.
JetBlue is joining the aforementioned operators: in a statement, the carrier said that «JetBlue will no longer require masks at airport hangars, terminals, or onboard the aircraft. Customers of course remain free to wear them if they choose.»
It is expected that other airlines and airports affected by the mask mandate that is no longer enforced will communicate their adherence to the judge ruling within the next hours.
The way the new rules are to be enforced in the whole aviation network are yet to be seen, as decision and communication throughout the country is not expected – despite desired- to be uniform.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
