PASSENGERS AND CREWS HEALTH AND SAFETY COMES FIRST
(Posted 26th August 2020)
Flying without mask for medical reason only possible with a medical certificate and negative Covid-19 test
Brussels Airlines now restricts the exemption from the obligation to wear a mask on board their flights. Like the other airlines of the Lufthansa Group, the Belgian airline has adapted its general Conditions of Carriage, stipulating that as of 01st September 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 from the airlines’ websites. In addition, passengers who are unable to wear a mask during the flight must present a negative covid-19 test, not older than 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. This ensures maximum safety for the passengers travelling with them.
Brussels Airlines and the other airlines of the Lufthansa Group 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.
Brussels Airlines applies extensive hygiene measures on board and on the ground to protect its staff and customers throughout the travel journey. The Lufthansa Group is 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 the virus 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.
Brussels Airlines had expressed their desire to return to Entebbe in Uganda as early as the 14th of July, after resuming operations across Europe’s Schengen area and progressively also rolling out long haul destinations to North America and West Africa.
However, the Ugandan government maintained their ban on scheduled passenger flights and has shown no readiness to listen to reason or accept that the wider Easter African region has reopened their respective airports – and resumed flights – having fully incorporated ICAO directives for safe operations, embraced IATA and WHO recommendations for airlines and airports and as a result already received WTTC’s Safe Travel Certificate.
Uganda in contrast remains out in the aviation cold in a state of forced hibernation to the financial detriment of businesses, the tourism and hospitality industry and the economy at large.
