SINGAPORE – Pilots and cabin crew on Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot flights will no longer be required to wear masks from June 1, but some flight attendants expressed concern.

An internal memo sent out by the two airlines stated that for SIA Group to maintain a “unified and consistent approach”, flight attendants “should not wear masks” while in uniform.

However, if a flight is heading to or departing from a destination where masks are mandatory, flight attendants must wear masks in accordance with local government regulations.

Screenshots of the memo were sent to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao on Thursday.

A Scoot crew member, who did not want to be named, told the newspaper in an e-mail interview that a colleague had asked the company about the memo and came to the conclusion that from June, it is “mandatory” for SIA and Scoot crew members to remove their masks when in uniform.

The crew member added that when another colleague asked the company whether cabin crew are allowed to wear masks when cleaning the toilets, its answer was that “one should not wear mask when in uniform”.

An SIA crew member, who also did not want to be named, said he is not worried and has no objection to the new rule. But some of his colleagues have expressed concern and hope they can wear a mask if they choose to, he said.

Some crew members who spoke to The Straits Times under condition of anonymity also have health and safety concerns and prefer to remain masked while on board.

“There will always be passengers who travel very frequently to countries that may not be as effective as Singapore in handling Covid-19, hence there is still a higher-than-average chance that we may catch Covid-19 and pass it on to someone with lower immunity,” said an SIA flight attendant in her mid-40s.

Besides two children, she has elderly parents at home who are pushing 80.

It was a sentiment echoed by a colleague in his 30s, whose parents are in their 60s.

“Covid-19 isn’t eradicated yet and is still mutating... (with the masks) we are protecting the passengers from what we may have picked up from other passengers or the cities we are in,” he said.

He hopes to continue wearing a mask on flights, adding: “SIA is known for its exceptional service because we anticipate the needs and wants of our passengers in every aspect, with safety being paramount.”

In response to queries, SIA Group confirmed that “in tandem with the Singapore Government’s move towards the endemic new norm, it will be stepping down the mask-wearing requirement for its flight crew with effect from June 1”.

All SIA and Scoot pilots and cabin crew will not be required to wear a mask while operating flights, except on routes where the destination still requires it.

“This helps our flight crew adopt a consistent and unified approach while operating flights,” said a spokesman.

“Our crew will continue to adhere to the robust health and safety measures implemented on board to safeguard the well-being of our customers and staff.”

The spokesman added: “If a crew (member) wishes to wear a mask while operating routes to destinations where mask-wearing is not mandated, they are still able to continue with their duties.

“However, we will seek to better understand the crew’s concerns and work with them to see how we can help better safeguard their welfare during flights.”

Speaking to ST, Singapore Airlines Staff Union president Alan Tan said: “We have raised the crew’s concerns about not wearing masks, and the assurance was given to me that the company will not force the crew or intimidate them to comply.”

An SIA flight attendant in his 40s, who has been working with the company for 17 years, welcomes the move to remove masks.

“Other airlines are doing it already... it’s a sign that things are better,” he said.

During the pandemic, he worked in personal protective equipment throughout flights.

“Without masks, we can now go back to showing off our trademark smiles again,” he said.