The US Travel Association, which had been lobbying for removal of the mask mandate for travellers, welcomed the intervention.

Executive vice president of public affairs and policy Tori Emerson Barnes said: “The current decision to halt enforcement of the federal mask mandate effectively returns the choice of mask usage on planes and other forms of public transportation to travellers and travel industry workers, a further step toward endemic management of Covid.

“We also continue to urge the administration to immediately end pre-departure testing for vaccinated inbound international passengers, which discourages travel and provides limited public health benefits.”

The change came about after US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former president Donald Trump, said the CDC improperly failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rule-making.

More: US judge throws out Biden mask mandate for planes and trains

US health officials last week extended the mandate until May 3, triggering industry protests.

But the ruling on Monday means that the Transport Security Administration (TSA) will no longer enforce the use of masks by travellers, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends them.

The White House said in a statement: “Due to today’s court ruling, effective immediately, TSA will no longer enforce its security directives and emergency amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs.

“TSA will also rescind the new security directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow (Tuesday).

“CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”