In a vital part of a biosecurity strategy, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) encourages the use of face protection for passengers and crew masks as an integral part of a temporary solution when people return to travel by air. 

The Aviation industry is working with governments to resume flying and take measures, such as wearing facial covering by passengers and crew masks to provide extra levels of security,  Director General and Chief Executing Officer Alexandre de Juniac said.

"We need to come up with a solution that gives passengers the confidence to travel and keeps flight costs affordable. Another does not have an enduring advantage without the other, "he said in a statement.

IATA stated that the evidence indicates that the risk of aircraft transmission is low.

By wearing masks, passengers and crew would reduce the already low risk, thus preventing the drastic rises in air travel costs that would lead to social distance measures on board.

However, IATA does not support compulsory steps on social distancing to hold 'middle seats' empty.

de Juniac said that even if necessary, keeping the 'middle seat' open would not result in the prescribed social distancing separation being successful, with most authorities recommending one meter to two meters whereas the mean width of the seat is less than 50 cm.

"Calls for social distancing steps for aviation will change the aviation economy to 62 percent, essentially by raising the overall load factor. It is well below the average factor of 77% fall-down in industry.

"Unit costs will rise dramatically with fewer seats to offer. Airfares prices will have to increase dramatically, depending on location, between 43 and 54% compared with 2019 – just to cover the costs, "he said.

Airlines battle for survival and the removal of the middle seat would raise costs.

If that can be offset with higher fares, the era of affordable travel will come to an end, while on the other hand, if airlines cannot recoup the costs in higher fares, airlines will go bust.

"Neither the world does not have good connectivity to help the recovery from the economic destruction of COVID-19," de Juniac said.