UPDATED 6/29: Delta Air Lines has revised it’s customer policy as stated here… “We do require all Delta customers to wear a mask upon boarding and through their entire travel on the aircraft.” Delta joins a growing list of carriers with a mask stipulation due to COVID-19.
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, has asked the U.S. Government for assistance in enforcing airline mask policies. Rather than deny transportation to travelers who refuse to wear a mask in-flight as some other airlines have done, Delta strongly recommends such compliance but will not forcibly remove customers who refuse to wear masks. The Atlanta-based carrier, which is the largest airline by far at MSP, is asking for a federal mandate requiring mask usage, saying that otherwise enforcement of their company policy is difficult.
Airline traffic virtually disappeared worldwide this spring, and is very slowly increasing week-to-week. Delta reduced its flying by 85% in April, and its revenue for the second quarter is expected to be down 90% from last year.
While it’s easy to understand why air travelers are apprehensive about returning to the skies while COVID-19 continues to spread across the U.S., it is additionally problematic when some fliers refuse to wear a protective mask. Some airports have also begun to require travelers and visitors to wear a mask while in the terminal, including Dulles International and Reagan National airports in Washington, D.C., Houston’s Hobby and Bush International airports, as well as Sky Harbor International in Phoenix, with many more sure to follow.
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