Flyers Rights Publishes Covid-19 Air Travel Mitigation Policy Memorandum, Applauds the Administration's First Steps

News provided by

Feb 04, 2021, 06:14 ET

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Flyers Rights has released its Covid-19 Mitigation Policy Memorandum, advising the White House, Department of Transportation (DOT), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on important mask rule considerations and other air travel policies to slow the spread of Covid-19 and make air travel safer for everyone.

Paul Hudson, President of Flyers Rights explained, "President Biden was clear that a mask rule was just one of the policies that the DOT and FAA should implement to halt the spread of Covid-19 in air travel. The DOT and FAA must consider enhanced social distancing policies, temperature checks, rapid COVID testing, and a suspension of change and cancellation fees".

Flyers Rights' memorandum recommends a DOT rule prohibiting airlines from putting passengers in middle seats. While many airlines at one point adopted this as a policy, only Delta Air Lines has an active middle-seat blocking policy, set to expire at the end of March.

Throughout 2020, the DOT declined to mandate mask-wearing, social distancing, or other COVID-19 protocols. As a result, airlines and airports each devised their own self-enforced policies. Paul Hudson noted, "The Biden Administration's mask mandate is a welcomed change of policy and a great start in making air travel safer. Airlines creating and enforcing their own safety standards led to confusion, uneven enforcement, and put passenger and employee lives at risk."

On the scope of the new mask rule, Paul Hudson cautioned, "The mask rule is not clear on the penalties for both passengers and airlines, how passengers are to be warned, and how passengers with disabilities or health conditions can obtain waivers from the mandate."

FlyersRights.org is the leading passenger organization on issues of passenger safety and health. The memorandum explores policies that would encourage passengers to alter their travel plans if they suspect they are ill, prevent more COVID-infected passengers from flying, and reduce the risk of transmission during the flight and at critical points in the airport.

The policy memorandum can be accessed at: https://flyersrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Flyers-Rights-Covid-19-Mitigation-Policy-Memorandum-01.29.21.pdf

FlyersRights.org maintains up to date passenger rights information at www.flyersrights.org/know-your-rights/ and also provides passengers with legal information and appropriate contacts by phone, 877-FLYERS-6 and by email, [email protected].

FlyersRights.org, established in 2007, is the largest airline passenger organization. It publishes online newsletter, maintains a full service website, is active on Twitter and Facebook @flyersrights , operates a free hotline for airline passengers 877- FLYERS6, advocates for passenger rights and interests, represents passengers on the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee dealing with air safety, and maintains a staffed office in Washington, D.C. See: FlyersRights.org or https://twitter.com/FlyersRights. Media line 800- 662-1859. FlyersRights.org, 4411 Bee Ridge Road, 274, Sarasota, FL 34233

SOURCE FlyersRights.org