'It's very safe to fly': Trump Assures Public During Airline Executives Meeting

• Huddling at the White House with top officials from airlines, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were briefed on stepped-up procedures the airlines are taking to ensure aircraft are safe and disinfected.
• President Donald Trump sought to reassure travelers that flying on U.S. airlines remains safe
• The United States has started screening all passengers arriving on direct flights from Italy and South Korea for the coronavirus

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump sought to reassure travelers that flying on U.S. airlines remains safe despite the spread of the coronavirus as he met Wednesday with executives from the nation’s largest air carriers.

Huddling at the White House with top officials from American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and others, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were briefed on stepped-up procedures the airlines are taking to ensure aircraft are safe and disinfected.

Several of the airline executives said they are eager for the White House to reassure the public that flying is safe. Airline bookings around the world have taken a big hit due to the coronavirus outbreak as concerned travelers delay or cancel plans, and airlines have cancelled flights to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Milan and other international destinations.

“Where these people are flying, it’s safe to fly, and large portions of the world it's very safe to fly,” Trump said. “Yes, it's safe.”

Administration officials discussed procedures for tracing passengers' travel so they can be tracked down if another passenger on the same flight tests positive for the coronavirus. The officials indicated they were still working on an agreement with the airlines for that "contact tracing'' effort.

Pence and Trump stressed their belief that earlier travel restrictions on China as well as travel warnings for portions of Italy and South Korea have limited the coronavirus in the United States.

The United States has started screening all passengers arriving on direct flights from Italy and South Korea for the coronavirus, among the latest travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration to contain the virus, Pence said.

The Trump administration announced the move earlier this week, but Pence said the screenings were fully implemented Tuesday.

“We also at your direction, as of yesterday morning all passengers on all direct flights from Italy and South Korea are screened multiple times,” Pence said in the Roosevelt Room meeting.

Airline officials from Southwest, United, American Airlines and other companies detailed stepped-up efforts to ensure aircraft are clean and disinfected and said they have worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on that effort.

Asked about what precautions travelers could take before getting on a plane, officials stressed hand washing and not touching one’s face.

“I haven’t touched my face in weeks!” Trump said to laughter. “I miss it.”

Reporters pressed Trump on how the airlines should handle booking changes for people concerned about the virus. The president asked the airlines to respond but said that passengers would be pleased with what the airlines do.

United CEO Oscar Munoz said, “This is a time we need to be absolutely understanding of people’s travel plans.”

Many travelers are complaining that airlines aren’t being flexible enough. United, Delta and American have taken the unprecedented step of waiving those hefty ticket change fees ($200 and up), but they only apply to travelers purchasing new tickets this month. They don’t apply to people who booked tickets weeks or months ago for now-canceled vacations or conventions.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Tuesday urged airlines to waive change fees for travelers holding any tickets so they don't have to put financial concerns above health concerns.