With the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting different aspects of the United States in alarming ways, one industry that has been affected is the airline industry.
Today, Florida Senator Rick Scott (R), who is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has oversight over the aviation industry, called for U.S. airlines to provide clear guidance on their plans to keep American travelers safe as the country looks to reopen its economy and set the path for achieving normalcy again.
In a statement, the Florida Senator stated, “last month, I called on U.S. airlines to create a plan to protect Americans through the Coronavirus.”
On April 1st, the former Florida Governor directed a letter to the President and CEO of Airlines for America and the President of the National Air Carrier Association asking for information on how the airlines plan to protect their workers and what precautionary steps will be taken to keep Americans safe through the current pandemic.
The Florida Senator now adds that he is “calling on all U.S. airlines to clearly lay out how they are going to continue to keep passengers safe as we return to our ‘new normal.’”
As well, he praised “the airlines that are already taking important steps, like mandating face masks, to protect health and safety” and he extended an invitation for other airlines “to follow suit and provide specific guidance moving forward so American can feel safe traveling.”
So far, the airlines that have provided new policies to keep travelers and employees safe include JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
These same airlines have invested heavily in helping Americans cope with the spreading pandemic by offering free flights to frontline medical personnel, donating food, and delivering much-needed PPE supplies.
Senator Scott also announced his list of priorities for any potential Phase 4 COVID-19 agreement, and it includes increased health screenings at U.S. airports.
The announcement comes at a time that Florida is moving forward to open its state.
