IATA supports face masks over empty middle seats

(AlJazeera) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has come out in favour of passengers wearing masks on board as debate intensifies over how to get airlines flying while respecting social distancing rules following the coronavirus crisis.

The body representing global airlines told reporters that wearing masks would help protect passenger health but came out against leaving middle seats empty on aircraft, a measure it had previously said was likely.

European flights have all but come to a standstill during the coronavirus pandemic. While there is no visibility on when travel restrictions will ease, airlines are considering how to safely restart services and give passengers the confidence to fly.

With the layered approach of temporary biosecurity measures in place like the ones below, IATA does not support mandating measures that would leave ‘middle seats’ empty. #COVID19

➡️Read more: https://t.co/KUUbyDAjnA pic.twitter.com/pFGBgNnFYW

— IATA (@IATA) May 5, 2020

Months without revenues is threatening to force some airlines out of business.

The United Kingdom’s Virgin Atlantic said earlier on Tuesday that it would cut 3,150 jobs as it battles to survive, adding to up to 12,000 jobs British Airways said last week it could shed and putting pressure on regulators to agree on rules to help a quick restart when the health conditions allow.

Qatar Airways will lay off staff members including cabin crew in a cost-saving move aimed at shoring up its bottom line as its planes sit idle amid a sharp decrease in demand caused by the coronavirus.

Qatar Airways cuts jobs as COVID-19 grounds most of its flights

The IATA said it was working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations aviation agency, governments and the World Health Organization on new rules which would apply internationally.

The ICAO could make an announcement on mandatory face masks on flights and other measures in June, IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said at an online news conference.

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