Face masks on flights could be mandatory for Scottish jet-setters for years to come, industry experts warns.
Face coverings have been required to be worn by all airline passengers since international resumed after flights were grounded due to the coronavirus pandemic.
There is an exception if you're eating or drinking or exempt from wearing a mask due to medical reasons.
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The airline industry has been hit hard over the last two year with rules around international travel change frequently and Scotland is now due to lift the requirement for Covid testing for fully vaccinated arrivals from Friday February 11.
Now, Ryanair have said that face masks would be a small price to pay to avoid the tight restrictions that halted thousands of flights, according to the Telegraph.
Neil Sorahan, Ryanair's chief financial officer compared it to the limits on liquids that were introduced after 9/11.
He said: “Masks will be something that will be with us for a while longer to come. If that is the price we have to pay for the next few months, into summer – it’s a small price to pay.
“It’s a bit like after 9/11, we ended up with our toiletries in plastic bags, maybe we’ll have to live with masks for a while longer.”
Additionally, The Times reports that UK airlines are now seeking international consistency on rule changes.
An aviation source told The Times: "Until there is a harmonised lifting of mask mandates on flights by governments worldwide it is simpler for airlines to keep the rules in place."
Under the new rules in the UK, from 4am on February 11, anyone arriving in Scotland that has received at least two jabs of the vaccine is not required to take a test within two days of their return.
Those who are not fully vaccinated, will no longer need to self-isolate on arrival or take a COVID-19 Day eight PCR test.
A pre-departure COVID-19 test is still required before travelling to Scotland.
And they must complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), and take a PCR test on or before day two after arrival.
All passengers will still have to fill out a passenger locator form and wearing face coverings in Scotland's airports under the new rules.
