19 July 2021

Face masks still required on the South Atlantic Airbridge

Following the relaxation of the legal requirement to wear masks in England, it is down to individual businesses to decide whether or not to ask people to continue to wear masks. As a result, Airtanker – operators of the South Atlantic Airbridge – has held a series of internal discussions and, in line with other UK carriers, is mandating the wearing of masks onboard all flights, north and southbound.

The new stipulations are as follows:

• Passengers are required to wear an appropriate face mask at Brize Norton which includes in departures lounge, when leaving the terminal at MPA to board the plane, during boarding and whilst onboard the aircraft
• Masks must cover the nose, mouth and chin, and must be independently fastened behind the head or by ear loops – face shields alone are not sufficient
• Face masks must be worn throughout the duration of the flight, unless you have proof that one of the following exceptions applies:
  • Children aged 6 or under are exempt from mask-wearing
  • If you are unable to put on, wear or remove a face mask due to a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
  • Putting on, wearing or removing a face mask will cause severe distress
  • If you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, another passenger who relies on lip reading to communicate
  • If not wearing a mark avoids the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
  • During times when you are eating or drinking – but you must replace your mask as soon as either activity is complete
  • If you need to take medication
  • If a police office or other official asks you to remove your face mask

Airbridge has the right to refuse to carry passengers, or their baggage, if they do not comply with the requirement to wear a face mask (unless one of the above listed exemptions applies). If a passenger removes their face mask during flight and refuses to replace it when asked, then the situation will be managed in accordance with Airtanker’s disruptive passenger policy.

Face masks should be replaced every four hours and it is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure they have a sufficient number of face masks to protect themselves for the duration of their time in both airports, while onboard and on arrival at their destination. Passengers are also responsible for checking the face mask requirements of the country that they are travelling to.