Ryanair set to drop mask rules on select European flights
Ryanair will remove its face mask requirement on selected European flights following Wednesday’s updated EASA/ECDC travel guidance.
However, there are still 15 European countries that require masks on public transportation, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
From May 16th, Ryanair passengers will no longer need to wear a face mask on EU flights or in EU airports in line with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) update.
A joint statement from the EASA and ECDC clarified, “from next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport.”
However, 15 European countries still maintain a mandatory mask requirement on public transportation, meaning passengers will need to wear a mask during flights to these countries.
The 15 countries are:
1. Austria
2. Latvia
3. Cyprus
4. Lithuania
5. CzechRepublic
6. Luxemburg
7. Estonia
7. Malta
9. France
10. Netherlands
11. Germany
12. Portugal
13. Greece
14. Spain
15. Italy
Ryanair CEO, Eddie Wilson, said; “We welcome this rule relaxation from EASA and the ECDC effective from Monday, 16th May next. From that date, face masks will be optional on all Ryanair flights except those flights to/from the 15 EU States where masks remain mandatory on public transport.”
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary had previously promised passengers that the airline would drop its face mask requirement by spring.
Ryanair’s CEO believes that many, if not all, European countries with face mask requirements will update their policies in the coming days.
While the EASA and ECDC have updated their recommendation, it is ultimately up to individual governments and airlines to change their mask requirements.
