Austrian Airlines Requires Passengers to Wear FFP2 Masks Without Valves

Earlier this week, Austrian Airlines updated its General Conditions of Carriage (GTC) to reflect the Austrian government's new Emergency Measures Ordinance.

Amongst other things, the ordinance regulates the mandatory wearing of FFP2 masks without a valve on mass transportation, including on aircraft and at all Austrian airports.

Since 25 January, all passengers over the age of 14 must wear a FFP2 mask without a valve (also known as a N95 or KN95 mask) on board Austrian Airlines flights until further notice. Passengers are required to bring their own masks.

Masks with a higher classification, such as FFP3 masks without a valve, can also be worn.

According to the new regulation, passengers between 6 and 14 years of age and pregnant women can travel with normal mouth-nose protection, whilst children under 6 years of age continue to be exempt from the mask- wearing requirement.

Passengers who cannot wear a mask for health reasons must present a negative COVID19 test that is not older than 48 hours at the scheduled start of the trip and provide a medical certificate on an Austrian Airlines form. The form can be downloaded from the Austrian Airlines website.

"Travel and health protection go hand in hand. The comprehensive protective measures on board are easily accepted and implemented by the majority of our passengers. I am convinced that the FFP2 mask will quickly become the new travel companion," said Austrian Airlines COO Jens Ritter.

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