Some domestic and international travel could become mask-free

A divisive rule that requires travellers on Australian and international flights to wear masks could soon be scrapped, according to Qantas.

A divisive rule that requires travellers on Australian and international flights to wear masks could soon be scrapped, according to Qantas.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which is made up of the federal and state chief health officers, made a recommendation late on Tuesday that mask mandates in airport terminals could end.

That will take place on June 17 at midnight.

“The AHPPC proposes that mask wearing in airport terminals no longer be mandated,” the group said in a statement yesterday.

“The AHPPC continues to recognise the role of masks along with other public health measures in minimising Covid-19 and influenza transmission and protecting the broader community.”

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Masks on flights could soon be a thing of the past, Qantas says. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Qantas plans to take that measure a step further with the suggestion that mask requirements while aboard aircraft should also be removed.

A spokesman for Qantas and Jetstar told The Australian that the “next step should be to remove mask mandates on-board aircraft”.

“Global studies show the risk of transmission inside aircraft cabins is very low due to the air being refreshed every few minutes, in addition to forward-facing seats and HEPA filters which capture 99 per cent of airborne particles,” he said.

“The Qantas Group intends to soon update our on-board mask policy for international flights to align with the rules at the destination. For some outbound international flights where masks are not required at the destination, such as flights to the USA, UK and Europe, this means masks will no longer be mandatory on board.

A passenger arrives at Sydney Airport wearing a mask. Picture: David Swift/NCA NewsWire

“We’re doing our best to help them prepare for their flights as well as continuing to talk to governments about the need for more consistent rules.”

The push to allow mask-free travel was hinted at by Virgin boss Jayne Hrdlicka last month. She told 2GB it was a “matter of time” before masks were gone.

“It’s a process that will find an end point in the not too distant future. But the rules in most states today are that on public transportation you need to be wearing a mask,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“The reality is on an aeroplane you’re as safe as you could be anywhere because of the quality of the air filtration system.”

A study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine last year found that if all passengers on a plane are wearing masks, the average infection probability will be drastically reduced.