Clarification of easyJet mask policy on board flights

Following the email from easyJet management and the various reports in the Dutch press, VNC would like to clarify their point of view and what this means for operating crew.

As long as there is a legal obligation in the Netherlands to wear a face mask on board airplanes, both we and our passengers must comply with this. At the moment this is still the case, despite efforts from several Dutch airlines and VNC to change the regulations from obligation to strong recommendation. The relaxation of mask regulation now only applies to flights within the UK and from the UK to a country where there is no longer a mask requirement (Gibraltar, Iceland and Denmark.)

The question if crew should still actively enforce the mask regulations on board is valid and the one we get asked the most. For the answer we refer to the piece that Tina Milton wrote in last Friday's newsletter on this subject.

VNC would like to emphasize that we will continue to strive for a change in mask legislation from obligation to strong recommendation. Of course we also want to secure free choice in this matter for crewmembers. We further ask you to complete a CSR (cabin safety report) when an unsafe situation occurs. The boardmembers of VNC would also like to hear about your experiences, so please don’t hesitate to share them with us.

We will continue the dialogue about this matter with easyJet and keep you informed.  

Farah van Keeken and Dino Brunst
Board of easyJet section