Quantcast

European travel to US declines by 17.4% in March amid political factors

European travel to US declines by 17.4% in March amid political factors
Research
Webp tax7muc3tlwo77ps9oyt49z1n7xa
Becky Blaine Senior editor | The Points Guy

New data reveals a significant decline in the number of Europeans flying to the U.S. this March, with approximately 178,000 fewer Western Europeans traveling by air compared to the same period last year. This represents a 17.4% decrease, bringing the total number of travelers to 846,577, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration.

The reduction in visitors from France, Germany, and the U.K.—the primary European countries for U.S.-bound travel—was recorded at 5%, 29%, and 15%, respectively. Analysts note the shift might partially be due to Easter's late occurrence this year, with celebrations falling on April 20 compared to March 31 in 2024. Typically, Easter can cause minor fluctuations in travel patterns, but it does not traditionally contribute to double-digit reductions.

There are indications that political factors, like President Trump's trade policies and immigration stance, may be impacting travel confidence. Reports suggest some French and German nationals have faced challenges entering the U.S., potentially contributing to decreased bookings.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Among North American travelers, Canadian interest seems to be waning too, catalyzed by tariffs and political rhetoric concerning the relationship between the U.S. and Canada. Ben Smith, CEO of Air France and KLM, expressed concern over this trend, stating they are monitoring the situation closely.

Despite current declines, airlines are planning for an increase in travel capacity from April through September. Air France and KLM are among the carriers boosting seat availability to the U.S. by 8% and 11.5%, respectively. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports a 4.2% increase in overall transatlantic seats compared to last year.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines remain key players in transatlantic travel, with new routes planned for destinations such as Greenland, Sicily, and Scotland, showing confidence in possible fluctuations being short-term.

Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst at Raymond James, suggested that while inbound travel might be waning, outbound travel from the U.S. remains steady, potentially balancing out the disparity. Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr echoed this sentiment, describing transatlantic travel demand as robust.

No immediate booking impacts are visible yet, according to Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter, although a Swiss spokesperson noted a decline in leisure travel bookings. Should the drop in foreign visitors continue, the financial implications could be substantial, with the U.S. Travel Association forecasting potential revenue losses. Delta Air Lines is expected to provide further insights with the release of its first-quarter results.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group recently announced on LinkedIn the celebration of employee participation in the Sue Gin Fund at its Honolulu facility.

Jul 1, 2025

The 2025 Paris Air Show has concluded with numerous orders placed by major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus, ATR, Boeing, and Embraer.

Jul 1, 2025

First class air travel in the United States has seen a decline, yet it remains significant for premium domestic markets.

Jul 1, 2025

Both the IAE V2500 and CFM56 families of engines are widely recognized as successful turbofans in the aviation industry.

Jul 1, 2025

Embraer and CommuteAir have entered into an agreement to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jul 1, 2025

Boeing has constructed a total of 1,573 Boeing 747 aircraft, including two Air Force One models pending delivery.

Jul 1, 2025