Airlines call for White House to lift mask mandate

(NBCNC) — Airlines are calling for the White House to lift mask mandates on travel.

The CEOs of all major U.S. airlines and cargo carriers signed a letter to President Joe Biden Wednesday asking to lift mask mandates for travelers and other COVID-19 restrictions such as pre-departure testing.

The letter, signed by the heads of ten airlines, including American, Delta and United, cites the high immunity level in the U.S., mask and vaccine availability, hospital-grade cabin air and newly available therapeutics as reasons to lift to the mandate.

The CEOs went on to say their industry had supported the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and "leaned into science at every turn" but contend those guidelines "no longer make sense in the current public health context."

The White House and U.S. Department of Transportation have not yet issued a response.

The federal mask mandate on air travel and public transportation was recently extended to April 18.