Travelers who refused to wear face masks during the pandemic were ported out and not welcome back on American airlines.

Until now.

With masks becoming voluntary on most domestic flights in the US, customers are needed, and airlines that are easing restrictions are now trying to bring travelers back.

”We have spoken to each of them individually,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told NBC about the suspended customers.

”"Several of them have assured us that everything will go smoothly now that the mandatory face mask is gone."”

US airlines reported a total of over 7,000 cases where passengers violated COVID rules or disrupted flights due to the rules. But not all those who are deported for this are welcome back.

”"In cases where something has started as an argument about mandatory face masks and then escalated into something more serious, and especially assault on our staff or other customers, then those passengers will never fly with us again," Nate Gatten at American Airlines tells AP.

Face masks became voluntary on flights in the United States after a court ruling this week, but the Justice Department has stated that it wants to appeal the ruling.

Airlines welcome the voluntary face masks, but say the influx of customers has not yet been noticed. Those who return after refusing to fly because of the mask requirement do not outweigh the many who feel uncomfortable flying with fellow passengers who do not wear face masks.

Source: TT