The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it supports calls to have passengers wear facemasks onboard aircrafts as a means to avoid the spread of COVID-19 during travel.

IATA said in a press release on Tuesday the masks are "a critical part of a layered approach to biosecurity to be implemented temporarily when people return to traveling by air."

The plan to mandate the wearing of face masks already has the backing of American airlines including United Airlines (UAL.O), Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) and American Airlines Group Inc (AAL.O).

Air travel has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic as most airlines globally grounded their planes in response to governments' travel restrictions.

The industry however remains hopeful that operations will resume in due course as governments begin to ease lockdown measures.

IATA in its press release however said it does not support the enforcement of social distancing measures aboard airplanes. Some quarters have suggested that upon resumption of flights, the 'middle seats' be left empty to enable passenger distancing.

"The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. The aviation industry is working with governments to re-start flying when this can be done safely. Evidence suggests that the risk of transmission on board aircraft is low. And we will take measures—such as the wearing of face coverings by passengers and masks by crew—to add extra layers of protection. We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable. One without the other will have no lasting benefit," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.

Globally, the number of COVID-19 related fatalities have exceeded 253,000 as total infetions go beyond 3.6 million, according to the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Source(s): International Air Transport Association