Seven US airlines have announced plans to strictly enforce passengers' use of masks on flights.

In a statement, industry body Airlines for America (A4A) - which represents the group - said those who refused to wear masks on board could have their flying privileges revoked.

Companies pledging action are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. A4A said each carrier would determine appropriate consequences for individual cases.

Their decision is part of a larger drive by US airlines to improve safety following complaints that their mandatory mask requirements were not being enforced.

There are currently no US government requirements to wear masks on flights. Transport Secretary Elaine Chao has said the issue is best determined by airlines and unionised frontline workers. Susannah Carr - an industry union official and flight attendant with United Airlines - told a US congressional committee last week that mask use was "definitely an issue we need to address".

BBC