FlyersRights Petitions DOT To Protect The Public With A Mask Rule

-Formally petitions DOT for mandatory mask rule, citing DOT's exclusive jurisdiction over air travel and DOT's own recommendations to airlines

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FlyersRights.org

Aug 14, 2020, 10:52 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FlyersRights.org, the largest airline passenger organization, formally submitted a rulemaking petition to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to mandate mask wearing by all persons on planes and at airports. The DOT has just published the rulemaking petition, even though the petition was submitted 9 days ago on August 4, 2020.

In late April, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended the wearing of masks in public settings, especially when social distancing is hard to maintain. Air travel requires the close gathering of people from various parts of the country. DOT has acknowledged the need for mask wearing, among other safety precautions, in its joint guidance with DHS and HHS titled "Runway to Recovery." DOT published this guidance in early July, forcing airlines and airports to develop their own policies during the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul Hudson, President of FlyersRights.org, explained "Air travel is an area where the federal government and DOT have exclusive jurisdiction. DOT understands the benefits of a mask rule but inexplicably is putting lives in danger by not exercising its authority and responsibility to protect the public and air travel. DOT must implement a mask rule on an emergency basis immediately."

FlyersRights.org has demanded masking since March and some airlines, unions, consumer organizations, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as soon as leading public health organizations recommended them,

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the largest flight attendant union and the AFL-CIO, also submitted its own rulemaking petition for a mask rule.

The FlyersRights.org Petition for Rulemaking can be found here.

FlyersRights.org is collecting passenger signatures here.

FlyersRights.org, established in 2007, is the largest airline passenger organization. It publishes a bi-weekly newsletter, 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