West Europeans skip US travel

Airfares from Europe to the United States have dropped to rates not seen since before the pandemic, as travellers from Western Europe lead a pullback in travel to the US that is expected to continue through at least July.

- DOYINSOLA OLADIPO JOANNA PLUCINSKA

Overseas arrivals to the United States fell 2.8% in May from a year ago, according to preliminary data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) within the US Department of Commerce. Travel from Western Europe fell 4.4% in May although travel from Eastern Europe rose 4.6% in the same period.

Forward bookings suggest sustained declines are on the horizon, with total inbound bookings to the US in July down 13% year-over-year, according to OAG Aviation, an analytics firm.

Transatlantic airfare has been declining since the first quarter when Europeans started reconsidering travel to the US after President Donald Trump suggested annexing Greenland, launched a global trade war, and issued orders that focus on stricter border policy. A stronger dollar has also deterred some trips.

In March, travel from Western Europe fell 17% year-over-year, according to the NTTO.