Airports Council Applauds Extension of Biden Administration’s Mask Requirement for Travelers

April 30, 2021

WASHINGTON — Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) today released the following statement from President and CEO Kevin M. Burke in support of the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), extending the requirement that travelers wear masks during interstate travel, including when they are in airports, through September 13, 2021.

“We welcome the DHS announcement extending the requirement for passengers and workers to wear masks while they are in airports. Since its implementation in January, this requirement has provided a uniform standard in air travel, enabling our member airports to effectively implement policies that protect travelers and employees alike.

“This measure is a crucial element in providing for the health and safety of passengers and aviation workers and instilling confidence in those who work or travel through America’s airports. America’s airports are grateful for the Biden administration’s leadership in maintaining this requirement to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and ensure that the aviation industry can continue on its path to recovery.”

ACI-NA first called on Congress and the previous administration to establish a requirement for masks in May 2020 and welcomed the policy when it was announced by the Biden administration in January 2021. This extension is necessary to ensure continuity of the requirement during the public health emergency.

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About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.