Europe ditches masks on planes

SYDNEY: Travellers in Europe this northern spring will no longer have to wear masks at airports or on planes.

The European Union says from Monday masks will no longer be required at European airports and on planes, amid the widespread easing of Covid19 restrictions across the continent.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it hoped ditching masks would mark ``a big step forward in the normalisation of air travel''.

The step was taken after considering vaccination levels and naturally acquired immunity, as well as the lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries.

EASA executive director Patrick Ky cautioned that passengers should still behave responsibly and wear a mask if coughing or sneezing.

The new recommendations take effect from Monday but mask rules may vary by airline if they fly to or from destinations where rules are different. — AAP