Refusing to wear a mask, an obstacle to travelling by plane

Failure to comply with the obligation to wear masks on board an aircraft entitles an airline to prevent the flying of the rebel passenger or other sanctions under national law, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

An aircraft ticket is a contract under which the passenger accepts the airline's terms and conditions of transport. These conditions may include the airline's right to deny transportation to a person whose behaviour interferes with a flight, violates government regulations, or makes other passengers feel insecure. Airlines also stress the need to cover their faces during the booking process, check-in, boarding gate and on-board announcements.

"it's not just about protecting yourself. It's about protecting everyone else on the flight, "said IATA's medical advisor, Dr. David Powell.

IATA has called on all travellers to use a facial cover during the trip for the safety of all passengers and crew during Covid-19.

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The use of facial covers is a key recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guide for safe operations during the pandemic, developed in conjunction with the World Health Organization and Governments.

"this is a call for common sense and responsibility. The vast majority of travelers understand the importance of covering their faces both for themselves and their fellow travelers, and airlines appreciate this collective effort. But a small minority creates problems. Safety is the core of aviation and compliance with crew safety instructions is the law. Non-compliance can endanger the safety of a flight, disrupt the travel experience of other passengers and affect the crew's working environment, "said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA CEO.

According to the University of Edinburgh tests, covering the face, when used correctly, can reduce the forward spread of possible drops of Covid-19 from the mouth by 90%.

"the research we have seen to date, and our own investigations with the world's airlines, tell us that the risk of contracting Covid-19 on a flight remains very low. There seems to be a number of factors that support that. The high airflow rate of the cockpit from top to bottom, constant air filtration through state-of-the-art HEPA filters, the fact that all seats look in the same direction and, of course, the use of a facial cover and the disinfection of the aircraft all plays a part, "said IATA medical advisor.