EasyJet has become the latest airline to remove the need for passengers to wear face masks on some flights.
The change is being made at start of the summer schedule on March 27, in what the budget carrier sees as “the start of a return to truly restriction-free flying” following the removal of all remaining UK Covid travel rules last week.
The airline said: “Following the removal of mandatory mask wearing in a number of countries, we have reviewed our mask policy onboard and have taken the decision that, from 27 March 2022, on flights where masks are no longer legally required at both ends of the route, we will not mandate customers and crew to wear masks onboard the flight.
“Any customers or crew who wish to continue wearing a mask will of course have their personal choice respected.”
Passengers and crew will no longer be required to wear masks on UK domestic flights including Jersey, excluding routes to and from Scotland, plus flights between the UK and Denmark, Gibraltar, Iceland and Hungary.
“We aim to progressively remove the requirement on other international routes as and when both ends of the route has no legal requirement,” the carrier added.
“As a pan European airline operating between over 30 countries, we must continue to ensure that we and our customers follow the legal requirements of all the countries we fly to.
“This means when flying to or from countries where mask requirements remain in place, we will follow the relevant legal requirements.
“We urge European governments to have a coordinated approach on the removal of the requirement where possible, to make it easy and clear for customers.
“We will aim to provide clear information to customers, including while onboard, detailing the specific mask requirements on their flight.”