Covid mask rules relaxed for EU air travel

Face masks will no longer have to be worn on flights and in airports in EU countries from next Monday, according to new official guidance.

The move is in line with changing anti-Covid policies on public transport across Europe, said the EU Aviation Safety Agency (Easa).

Rules have been relaxed in countries including France, Italy and Bulgaria.

"From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport," EASA executive director Patrick Ky said.

"It is a relief to all of us that we are finally reaching a stage in the pandemic where we can start to relax the health safety measures," he added.

But the new guidance came with some cautionary advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

ECDC director Andrea Ammon said that although the wearing of masks would no longer be compulsory, it was important to remember that "together with physical distancing and good hand hygiene, it is one of the best methods of reducing transmission".

Both EU agencies said that on flights arriving at or departing from places where masks still had to be worn on public transport, airlines should encourage passengers to wear them.

"Further, as of 16 May 2022, aircraft operators, during their pre-flight communications as well as during the flight, should continue to encourage their passengers and crew members to wear face masks during the flight as well as in the airport, even when wearing a face mask is not required," the ECDC said.