By now, we’re all quite familiar with the public messaging around masks – especially when it comes to travel. Essentially, masks must be worn at all times in airports and onboard aircraft – a strict, no-exceptions-standard that has been in place for the majority of airlines for the last few months. Russian carrier Aeroflot, however, will be doing things a little differently as the airline said on December 15th that it’s creating a special section on its aircraft for passengers who refuse to wear masks.
“It is critically important for us to ensure the safety of all passengers…[This] does not exclude the application of other measures of liability for violation of the rules for the use of personal protective equipment on board.” -Aeroflot spokesperson via CNN
Seats designated for those unable to comply with mask policy
According to CNN, Aeroflot will be designating specific seats on its flights, especially for passengers who refuse to wear masks.
Like most other airlines, Aeroflot also has a strict mandatory mask policy where the only time masks can be removed is during periods of eating, drinking, or when changing masks. Unfortunately, it appears some of the airline’s passengers are refusing to comply with these rules, claiming that they cannot or will not wear a mask.
Policy applies to passenger-refusal after boarding
Rather than diverting to the closest airport and removing the passenger from the aircraft, the carrier is seeking a compromise- relocating the non-compliant traveler to “dedicated seats [that] are allocated to passengers who declare their refusal to use masks after (the aircraft’s) doors close,” a Reuters report notes.
Aeroflot has made its position clear on inflight mask-wearing via a December 14th press release, saying:
“Passengers can only be accepted for flight on condition that they abide by requirements for use of personal protective equipment. The airline takes tough stance against violators. Passengers who refuse to duly wear face masks for any reasons will be denied boarding.”
Thus, it appears that the ‘special section’ has been created for those who board the flight with a mask but have no intention of wearing it for the duration of the journey. This section would have been ideal for the anti-mask activist who posted a video of himself not wearing a mask on an Air Transat flight.
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Avoiding conflict with possible risk to public safety
As many have pointed out, the responsibility to ensure mask-wearing-compliance has fallen on the shoulders of flight attendants. This is in addition to meal service, passenger comfort, and general safety issues.
We’ve seen conflict erupt when anti-mask passengers are confronted. In fact, Simple Flying reported in October that a passenger struck a flight attendant on a Delta Air Lines flight during a conflict about wearing a mask.
Therefore, the move by Aeroflot seeks to make things a little easier for flight attendants while hopefully creating enough distance for passengers who are complying with the policy.
CNN notes that the airline has not made it clear whether or not it will implement long-term bans or other punishments for passengers who refuse to keep their masks on throughout the flight.
What do you think of Aeroflot’s decision to have a special section? Is it a ‘necessary evil’ as passengers can’t be removed during the flight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
