The International Air Transport Association is pushing to scrap mask rules on flights.
IATA director-general Willie Walsh said there was no scientific research to support wearing masks on planes and at airports and the decision should be left to travellers.
“We’re pushing hard for the mandatory requirement for face masks to be removed on the basis the scientific evidence that is there is very strong showing that the environment on-board the aircraft is safer than pretty much anywhere else you’re likely to be,” Mr Walsh told The Australian.
National cabinet agreed in January last year that the use of face masks within airport terminals and on domestic commercial flights be mandated across Australia.
Barry Abrams, executive director at the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia, which promotes safe and efficient operations of international airlines serving Australia, agreed it was a “good time to be looking at these xjmtzywsorts of issues”.
“As we’re moving forward and moving on in the pandemic it’s a good time to be looking at these sorts of issues as to what we’re doing and why and looking at it at a global level,” he told radio 3AW on Tuesday.
“Different countries have different views about the level of restrictions that should be in place.”
He said Australia’s travel arrangements were “expansive and complicated” and called for a more streamlined international approach towards travel rules.
“As well as commonwealth testing arrangements around pre-departure testing to come back to Australia, every state and jurisdiction then has its separate arrangements for testing on arrival and whether or not you need to self-isolate,” he said.
Recent data showed Australia was at about 15 per cent of pre-pandemic traffic volumes, Mr Abrams said.
“We really need to be reviewing all of the restrictions and requirements that we have here in Australia, end to end,” he said.
