The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging all passengers to wear face coverings during a flight.

The appeal to comply with the recommendation follows reports of travellers refusing to wear a face covering while travelling.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Airlines have the right to offload passengers if their behaviour affects a flight, fails to comply with government regulations or jeopardises the safety of other passengers.

IATA noted that when a passenger purchases a plane ticket, it implies that the individual agrees to the airline’s conditions of carriage.

The wearing of a face covering is also highlighted during the booking process, at check-in, at the gate, and in onboard announcements.

The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) guidance, which is developed jointly with the World Health Organization and governments, also recommends wearing face coverings during flight.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said: “This is a call for common sense and taking responsibility.

“The vast majority of travellers understand the importance of face covering, both for themselves, as well as for their fellow passengers, and airlines appreciate this collective effort. But a small minority create problems.

“Safety is at the core of aviation, and compliance with crew safety instructions is the law.

“Failure to comply can jeopardise a flight’s safety, disrupt the travel experience of other passengers, and impact the work environment for the crew.”

Last month, the IATA urged the International Energy Agency (IEA) to focus its attention on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investment, which would encourage aviation’s contribution to the post-Covid-19 recovery.

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airport Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Klayo’s talent and compliance platform tailored for airports has secured the Innovation Award in the Workforce Digitalization category . Learn how its competency gap analysis, integrated compliance hub and data-driven workforce planning are helping airports streamline operations, strengthen governance and engage employees.

Discover the Impact