Travel Update: Masks No Longer Required At Mitchell Airport

As of May 4, 2020, all airlines at Mitchell International Airport required passengers to wear masks while flying. However, as of December 29, 2024, masks are no longer mandated for passengers at the airport or on flights, following a federal judge's ruling that struck down the federal mask mandate on planes and public transit. While masks are not currently required, some airlines at Mitchell International Airport may still provide masks at no charge, and it is recommended to check with your airline before travelling.

Face masks were required on all airlines at Mitchell Airport in 2020

In 2020, face masks were required on all airlines at Mitchell Airport. This was part of a broader effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, which included sanitation and safety measures such as increased cleaning, social distancing reminders, and the addition of plexiglass shields at information counters. The requirement to wear masks extended to employees and anyone else entering public airport facilities, including terminals, the rental car center, and airport buses. While some airlines provided masks at no charge, it varied depending on the airline.

The decision to mandate face masks at Mitchell Airport was in line with policies implemented by major airlines, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other large airports across the country, including in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Denver. This coordinated response reflected the understanding that airports and air travel can increase the risk of contracting and transmitting respiratory infections, especially during periods of high travel volume, such as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.

The face-covering requirement at Mitchell Airport did not specify the type of mask, only that it should cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. This flexibility allowed for the use of homemade cloth masks, bandannas, or commercially purchased masks. Exemptions to the mask requirement included children under a certain age, individuals with physical disabilities or medical conditions that prevented them from wearing a mask, and situations where a clear view of the face was necessary for identification purposes.

The mandate for face masks on all airlines at Mitchell Airport in 2020 was a proactive measure to protect the health and safety of travellers, staff, and the general public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While mask requirements on planes have since been lifted, experts continue to emphasize the effectiveness of wearing masks, particularly medical-grade options like N95 or KN95 masks, in reducing the chances of contracting or transmitting respiratory infections during air travel.

Masks were not required at the airport in 2022, but were encouraged

As of 2022, masks were not required at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, but passengers were encouraged to wear them. While the airport did not have a mask mandate in place, individual airlines might have had their own policies. For example, Delta and United Airlines required masks while flying, and Alaska Airlines would begin to require masks on May 11, 2020.

Airport staff implemented several safety measures, such as increased deep cleaning, installing more hand sanitizers, and adding touchless features in bathrooms. They also asked travellers not to crowd around the baggage claim area and requested that anyone who was sick refrain from flying. The airport director, Brian Draznik, encouraged passengers to start wearing masks as soon as they entered the facility, rather than waiting until they reached the TSA checkpoint.

Some travellers at the airport chose to wear masks, even if their airline did not require it. One traveller, John Musselman, wore a mask while travelling from Milwaukee to Alaska, although Alaska Airlines' mask policy had not yet taken effect. He expressed discomfort with seeing unmasked individuals at the airport and on his flight. However, other travellers, such as Stephanie Bibb, felt that wearing a mask should be a personal choice and did not feel it was necessary.

While masks were not mandated at the airport, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had previously enforced a federal mask mandate on planes and public transit. This mandate was struck down by a federal judge in Florida in 2024, after which the TSA announced it would no longer enforce mask use on public transportation.

TSA may deny boarding to passengers without masks

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the authority to deny boarding to passengers who are not wearing masks. This mandate was implemented on February 2, 2021, and will remain in effect until May 11, 2021. The rule applies to individuals over the age of two who are travelling through airports, bus and rail stations, as well as on passenger aircraft, public transportation, and over-the-road buses.

The TSA's mask mandate is in compliance with President Biden's Executive Order on promoting COVID-19 safety in domestic and international travel. It also supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Emergency Order, which requires individuals to wear masks on conveyances and at stations, ports, or transportation hubs.

Passengers who refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the secure areas of the airport, including the terminal and gate areas. Depending on the circumstances, those who refuse to comply may be subject to civil penalties for attempting to circumvent screening requirements or interfering with screening personnel.

The TSA recommends a fine ranging from $250 for the first offence to $1,500 for repeat offenders. However, based on aggravating or mitigating factors, the TSA may impose a higher or lower penalty.

It is important to note that there are some exemptions to the mask requirement. These include travellers under the age of two, individuals with a disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, and those for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health or safety. Additionally, travellers with special circumstances, such as disabilities or medical conditions, can contact TSA Cares 72 hours prior to travelling to receive assistance during the security screening process.

Some airlines provide free masks

As of May 2020, some airlines at Mitchell International Airport provided masks at no charge to passengers, although it depended on the airline.

Alaska Airlines, for example, provided masks to passengers who had forgotten to bring their own. Similarly, Allegiant Air provided passengers with a health and safety kit that included a single-use face mask and sanitizing wipes upon request. Meanwhile, American Airlines offered sanitizing wipes and gels on most international flights and some domestic flights.

In April 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down the U.S. federal transportation mask mandate, after which all major U.S. airlines dropped their pandemic-era mask requirements for domestic flights. However, some airlines continued to provide masks to passengers on a voluntary basis. For example, Southwest Airlines continued to allow customers to wear masks if they wished to, and Delta Air Lines informed customers that they could continue wearing masks if they chose to do so.

A federal judge struck down the federal mask mandate in 2024

As of May 4, 2020, all airlines at Mitchell International Airport required face masks, although masks were not mandated by the airport itself. Delta and United Airlines were among the airlines requiring passengers to wear masks while flying. Some airlines provided masks free of charge, but this varied by airline.

On April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida, Kathryn Mizelle, struck down the federal mask mandate for airplanes and other modes of public transportation. Judge Mizelle, a Trump appointee, ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had exceeded its authority and failed to follow proper rule-making procedures. This decision led to a nationwide injunction and prompted transportation hubs and airlines to drop their mask mandates.

Judge Mizelle's ruling was met with mixed responses from travelers and concern from experts. Some travelers welcomed the change, feeling that wearing a mask should be a personal choice. Others continued to wear masks out of caution and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The ruling also sparked discussion about the power of a judge in one state to overrule a national mandate.

While Judge Mizelle faced criticism for her lack of professional experience and conservative views, she had the support of Republican lawmakers. This decision by a federal judge in 2024 invalidated the federal mask mandate, impacting transportation hubs and giving rise to varied reactions from the public.

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