US airline passengers who refuse to
wear face coverings during the novel coronavirus pandemic could
have their flying privileges revoked under tougher enforcement
policies, the industry's main lobby group said on Monday.
Major US airlines may prevent anyone not wearing a mask
from boarding and provide the coverings to passengers who have
none. Once on board, however, flight attendants have had little
power over passengers who remove the face covering.
Carriers with the stricter policy include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines,
Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines
and United Airlines, Airlines for America said
in a statement.
The airlines will clearly inform passengers about their
individual policies on face coverings before flying, followed by
an announcement with specific details onboard, it said.
Each carrier will decide the appropriate consequences for
passengers who fail to comply, up to and including being put on
that airline's no-fly list.
Airlines offer certain exemptions, including when people are
eating or drinking.
American Airlines said its updated policy will go into
effect on Tuesday, followed by United on Thursday.
United said those who do not comply will be placed on an
internal travel restriction list that would prevent them from
flying with the airline "for a duration of time to be determined
pending a comprehensive incident review."
Delta said it was doubling efforts to ensure customers are
aware of, acknowledge and comply with its mask requirement,
which it said is one of the most important ways to "stay safe
while flying."
The measures are expected to remain in place throughout the
coronavirus crisis.
On Twitter, Senator Ed Markey, who has been vocal along with
about a dozen other Democratic senators on airline issues during
the pandemic, praised the tougher enforcement policies, adding
"But we still need federal action immediately."
The US government has not mandated any airline safety
requirements since the pandemic hit global aviation, despite
calls from unions and industry.
"The federal government has completely abdicated its
responsibility to keep the flying public and aviation workers
safe during COVID-19," said Sara Nelson, president of the
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA said, adding "the industry
alone cannot fix this."
The administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration,
Stephen Dickson, is expected to be questioned about masks at a
Senate hearing on Wednesday.