In the first bit of good news for the airline industry since the pandemic began earlier this year, a recent study has found that the chance for transmission of the novel coronavirus aboard airplanes is less than initially thought.

Experts have pointed to the very few incidents of actual transmission aboard airliners to support their claims. According to experts, the chances of catching the virus, even with asymptomatic carriers and symptomatic patients aboard a flight, is relatively slim.

Experts cited a specific case: a March 31 flight from the U.S. to Taiwan containing 328 passengers had 12 symptomatic passengers aboard. Despite this, no other passengers or crew members tested positive, indicating that no transmission events had taken place during the duration of the flight. That's not to say that it's impossible for transmission to take place aboard a jetliner, however. There are plenty of incidents of transmission taking place during flights. Still, compared to the number of flights and the number of passengers that have flown since the pandemic began, the rate of transmission appears to be reasonably low.

In fact, according to the study, there only appears to be one known incident where transmission to multiple people occurred.

The explanation for the low rate of infections is the air circulation systems aboard modern jetliners. Fresh air is pumped into the pressurized cabin of an airline every few minutes, with the air being treated by cabin air filters, similar to those employed in modern cars but far more powerful. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has continually recommended proper ventilation as a means to combatting the spread of the virus, with the agency warning against going maskless in poorly ventilated buildings, as the lack of air circulation would allow respiratory particles to linger in the air longer.

As with buildings and going out in public in general, masks reduce the risk of transmission aboard airplanes. As most airlines, major or otherwise, are vehemently enforcing mask-wearing, with Delta (DAL  ) adding 100 anti-mask passengers to a no-fly list for their violation of the airline's guidelines. The high rate of air circulation coupled with both passengers and crew wearing masks at all times is the likely explanation for the success airlines have had in preventing super-spreading events.

While it's unknown if the study will have any major effects on demand for the foreseeable future, it could, at least, help restore faith in airlines as their protective measures help keep passengers safe during a global pandemic. With Delta in the headlines for its zero-tolerance mask-required policy, and United Airline's (UAL  ) CEO detailing in an interview the massive extent of the airline's protective measures, it is comforting to know that airlines are taking the pandemic as serious as they have been, even if some companies in other sectors might not be.