–BY Issah Olegor
European airlines, including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Iberia, and SAS, are reducing their transatlantic flights to major US cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
This decision comes as demand for travel to the US has softened, with bookings down 10% compared to last year.
Shift in Demand
The decline in demand for US-bound travel is attributed to various factors, including higher travel costs, uncertainty around visa processing, and growing discomfort with US politics.
European travelers are increasingly opting for destinations that offer smoother entry, better seasonal deals, and fewer political complications.
Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the Caribbean are emerging as popular alternatives, with many airlines redirecting their flights to these regions.
Airline Adjustments
Lufthansa has reduced frequencies on its routes to New York, Miami, and Chicago, while British Airways has suspended service to Las Vegas and reduced operations to Orlando and Philadelphia.
Air France has discontinued its Seattle route and trimmed service to Washington D.C., and KLM is cutting back flights to San Francisco and Boston. Iberia has postponed its planned launch of a new route to Dallas and reduced service between Madrid and Chicago.
Data Supports Transatlantic Downturn
According to Tourism Economics, bookings from Europe to the US for the May to July period are down 10% compared to last year.
The data also shows that international arrivals to the US are expected to decline by 8.7% for the year, with a total spending loss of $8.5 billion from foreign visitors.
Politics and Policy Changes
The decline in demand for US-bound travel is also attributed to politics and policy changes.
The return of tariff tensions between Washington and Brussels, renewed warnings at US borders, and reports of increased security screening are all contributing to traveler hesitancy.
Several European countries have updated their advisories for citizens planning to visit the US, urging them to allow extra time for entry and to prepare for changing customs protocols.
Future Outlook
However, as airlines lock in their schedules for the peak summer travel season, more route cuts may follow in the coming months.
Aviation data firm Cirium reports that six airlines have pulled or reshuffled eight US-Europe routes just this month, signaling a deeper recalibration of transatlantic demand.
The trend suggests that European airlines will continue to adjust their routes and schedules in response to changing demand and traveler preferences.
