Delta Air LinesOn Tuesday, CEO Ed Bastian asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for half the recommended quarantine period for people who have contracted Covid-19. Bastian stated that the current isolation period may negatively impact the airline’s operations.

Bastian proposed to CDC Director Rochelle Walsky a 5-day quarantine period for all fully vaccinated people who have contracted Covid. Current recommendations call for an isolation period of 10-days.

Bastian and Carlos del Rio wrote, “Our employees represent an indispensable workforce to enable Americans who require to travel domestically or internationally.” The 10-day quarantine for fully-vaccinated persons could have a significant impact on our workforce and operations due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

This letter arrives as Covid cases increase and the highly mutated Omicron variant spreads quickly, straining testing resources ahead of the end-of-the year holidays.

Bastian, del Rio, and Ting argued that the CDC guidance was created “in 2020” when there were no effective vaccines or treatments. According to the executives, individuals may be able to end isolation sooner if they pass the Covid test.

They wrote that they would like to work with CDC as part of the policy change. The letter was posted by Delta on their website. Reuters previously reported it. The CDC has not yet responded to a request.

Delta stated that 90% of its employees are fully vaccinated. It also noted that airline staff, just like passengers, must wear masks on flights and at airports.