Austrian Airlines restricts exceptions for mask obligation

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Austrian Airlines adapts the General Conditions of Carriage (GTC). From September 1, 2020 an exemption from the obligation to wear a mask during the flight for medical reasons will only be possible if a medical certificate is presented on a form provided by the airline. Passengers can download the document at the Austrian Airlines website. In addition, passengers who are unable to wear a mask during the flight must present a negative covid-19 test, which is not older than 48 hours at the scheduled begin of the journey. This ensures maximum safety for the passengers travelling with them. This change applies to all airlines in the Lufthansa Group. Children under six years of age continue to be exempt from the wearing requirement.

“We have always emphasized that safety is our top priority, especially in the age of COVID-19, and a mask is the simplest and most effective protection against transmission,” says Austrian Airlines COO Jens Ritter. “The majority of our passengers comply with the rules in an exemplary manner. With the current change, we are taking an additional step towards greater health protection on the aircraft.”

In addition to the obligation to wear a mask, the General Conditions of Carriage (GTC) of Austrian Airlines will in future stipulate that persons with a known Covid-19 infection are not permitted to board the aircraft.

As of today, passengers will be comprehensively informed about the new requirements, including on the Austrian Airlines website and social media channels, as well as via e-mail and via SMS. This is intended to give customers the opportunity to adapt to the changed rules in good time.

Like all other airlines of Lufthansa Group Austrian Airlines has already introduced compulsory masks on board their flights at the beginning of May, making them one of the first airlines worldwide to do so. Exceptions to this rule were previously only possible with a medical certificate. The new rules on the compulsory wearing of masks now ensure even better protection for all passengers.

The home carrier has – like all other airlines in the Lufthansa Group – introduced extensive hygiene measures on board and on the ground. Austrian is also in close contact with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and national authorities to promote the ongoing development and harmonization of health standards in air transport during the corona pandemic.

In principle, the risk of contracting on board of an aircraft is very low. The cabins are equipped with filters that clean the air of contaminants such as dust, bacteria and viruses.

On the Austrian Airlines website, passengers can find the current Austrian Airlines timetable as well as information on travel in times of corona, compulsory masks or rebooking regulations. The information is updated on an ongoing basis. In addition, passengers can find the current entry regulations for their respective destination.

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