EU barring US visitors would be a ‘huge deal’ for airlines

Delta was hoping to restart flights next month from New York to Athens and Lisbon, two popular summer destinations, but it may have to wait a little longer. EU countries are considering barring Americans as the union reopens its borders next week, dealing another blow to Delta and other airlines hoping to revive their business when travel typically peaks across the Atlantic Ocean. International flights make up a minority of flights for US airlines but are typically much more profitable than domestic ones. And flights to and from Europe are generally the most important. US and European airlines had reduced the number of available seats on flights connecting the two markets by about 75% next month compared to last July, according to the aviation data provider OAG. And a travel ban could lead to even deeper cuts. “It’s a huge deal,” said John Grant, a senior analyst at OAG. “It is by far the jewel in the crown for many major airline networks, in terms of both revenue and profitability.”<br/>