LATAM Airlines Group and its subsidiaries announced the mandatory use of masks for both passengers and cabin crew as of May 11, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
This measure is in addition to the “mandatory mask use” measure established by the health authority on flights in Chile since mid-April, which will now be extended to all of the company's domestic and international flights. The acquisition of these masks is the responsibility of each passenger.
As for the protection of LATAM workers, crews and teams in operational areas will be provided with personal protection equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves and hand sanitizer. The airline has also modified part of its maintenance operation in Brazil and Chile for the production of masks, which will be used by the teams.
The company has implemented additional measures to maximize safety in daily operations. During check in, LATAM:
- Adopted social distancing of five feet between each passenger
- Increased its cleaning and disinfecting of the passenger service area
- Has self-service terminals at all the airports where it operates to avoid going through face-to-face check-in
- Recommends checking in online and use digital boarding passes where possible
- Recommends the use of masks in common areas of airports (adding it’s important to pay attention to the measures taken by the authorities of each country in relation to the use of protective equipment in public places)
On board, and since the start of the pandemic, LATAM has reinforced all its aircraft cleaning and disinfecting procedures. To note, hand sanitizer is available on all aircrafts and hygiene protocols on board is instructed by the cabin crew. Service has been adapted to reduce the need for on-board interaction.
After disembarking, the aircraft is cleaned to the highest standards; improvements have also been applied to the process of luggage collection, fulfilling adequate social distancing between people.
Visit www.latam.com/coronavirus.
Related Stories
Virgin Atlantic Cuts 3,000 Jobs, Shuts Gatwick Operations
U.S. Airlines Require Face Coverings for Employees, Passengers
Disinfectants, Masks & Essential Travel: What’s New for Airlines
Argentina Bans All Commercial Flight Ticket Sales Until September