Delta Air Lines says it will be increasing flights from key European cities into the United States following the reopening of American borders to fully vaccinated passengers.
A statement by the airline revealed that its international point of sale bookings saw a 450 per cent increase in the six weeks after the US government’s announcement compared to six weeks prior to the announcement.
The statement quoted the Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian, as saying, “This is the start of a new era for travel and for many people around the world who have not been able to see loved ones for almost two years.
“While we have seen many countries reopen their borders to American visitors over the summer, our international customers have not been able to fly with us or visit the US. All of that changes now.
We are grateful to the US government for lifting travel restrictions and are looking forward to reuniting families, friends and colleagues over the coming days and weeks.”
The company said it would be increasing flights this winter from key European cities including London-Boston, Detroit and New York-John F. Kennedy, Amsterdam-Boston, Dublin-New York-JFK, Frankfurt-New York-JFK and Munich-Atlanta.
The airline reported this summer that its US domestic leisure business had already rebounded to 2019 levels, but ongoing border restrictions have prevented a meaningful recovery across the globe. International inbound travel to the U.S. contributed $234bn in export income to the U.S. economy, generated a trade surplus of $51bn, and directly supported 1.2 million American jobs in 2019.
– Punch