With regard to the mask requirement on board commercial aircraft, Germany is taking a lonely special path in a European comparison. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is not thinking of abolishing it, but is even supposed to tighten it to FFP2 masks. That doesn't fit Lufthansa at all.

For large parts of the corona pandemic, the Kranich Group held back and implemented all the specifications and willingly acted as a "deputy sheriff". However, changes were made a few weeks ago. Since there have always been arguments above the clouds, the cabin crew has been instructed that the mask requirement no longer has to be enforced at any price.

For a few days now, Lufthansa has been appearing in public as a staunch opponent of the mask requirement above the clouds and is also heavily criticizing the tightening planned by Lauterbach. It is believed that passengers should decide for themselves whether or not to wear masks as part of their own responsibility. Furthermore, one cannot understand the German special path.

In the latest policy letter, the carrier writes, among other things: “Passengers who have the choice of flying for several hours with or without a mask usually choose the more comfortable option”. The Kranich Group therefore fears considerable competitive disadvantages, because foreign airlines do not have to enforce the German requirements due to international aviation agreements.

Lufthansa also believes that the tightening of FFP2 masks will lead to problems, because covering the mouth and nose is no longer mandatory in almost all countries. Passengers are often surprised that this should still be the case on Germany flights. This occasionally leads to conflict situations on board the aircraft. Lufthansa also points out that all these circumstances massively increase the burden on the crews. It is therefore demanded that the draft law should be revised.