ORLANDO, Fla. — Some of the largest airlines in the country want President Joe Biden to get rid of the mask mandate on flights.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The companies drafted a letter to the president, urging him to make the change, saying it’s now safe enough to lift that requirement.

In the letter, the airlines argued it makes no sense that people are allowed to congregate in other closed spaces such as restaurants, yet masks are still required at the airport and on a plane.

READ: Southwest passengers stranded at OIA after winter weather causes flight cancellations

Read the letter below:

The letter reads, in part, “An airplane cabin is one of the safest indoor environments due to the combination of highly filtered air and constant air flow coupled with the downward direction of the air.”

The airlines contend that science now shows lifting the mandate can be safely done, giving passengers a choice.

READ: Orlando International Airport sees a surge of spring break travelers

The issue has sparked violence on planes as flight crews are left to enforce the mandate.

The mask mandate has already been extended three times, most recently to April 18.

READ: OIA busiest airport in Florida, 7th in the nation in 2021

VIDEO: Southwest passengers stranded at OIA after winter weather causes flight cancellations VIDEO: Southwest passengers stranded at OIA after winter weather causes flight cancellations (Chantelle Navarro, WFTV.com/WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group