By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The chief executives of American Airlines (NASDAQ;), United Airlines (NYSE:), and Delta Air Lines(NYSE:) urged President Joe Biden on Wednesday to repeal the federal mask requirement on planes as well as international pre-departure tests requirements.

Executives from several airlines, including Southwest Airlines’ chairman (NYSE:) as well as JetBlue CEO, stated in a letter that the restrictions were “not longer compatible with the realities and current epidemiological environment.”

Biden’s administration decided to increase COVID-19 requirements for airports, trains stations, and ride-share vehicles through April 18. It was due to expire March 18.

It is absurd that passengers are required to use masks while flying, but are permitted to gather in public.

The airline letter stated that masks were not required for crowds at schools, restaurants and sporting events, even though none of them have the same protective air filter system as aircrafts.

While the White House refused to comment, earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that they were working on a “revised policy framework” to determine when and in what situations masks might be needed along the corridor for public transportation.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a separate statement https://news.delta.com/delta-asks-biden-administration-end-covid-era-travel-restrictions said “considering the improved public health metrics in the U.S. and medical advancements to prevent the worst outcomes of COVID-19, the federal mask mandate and pre-departure testing no longer fits with the current environment.”

In the letter, it also mentioned “thousands” of employees from airlines charged with applying COVID regulations.

Mask requirements have caused significant friction in airplanes. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been 6,942 reported unruly passenger incidents since January 2021. 70% of those were due to violations of masking regulations

Last week, the U.S. Senate voted 57-40 to reverse the 13-month old public health order requiring that masks be worn on public transportation. Biden quickly threatened to veto the move.

Republicans have voiced opposition to the mask mandate, noting that 99.5% Americans are living in areas where indoor masks can be safely removed.

This letter cited data provided by the CDC that indicated “science clearly supports lifting this mask mandate.”

In a 2021 CDC Order, it was stated that the mask mandate might help to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in crowded transport environments.