US travel now boarding, but Asia destinations delayed: Delta CEO

With more people receiving vaccines for the coronavirus every day in developed countries, Delta CEO Ed Bastian is hopeful the aviation industry has finally cleared the heaviest turbulence caused by the more-than-yearlong pandemic that has closed borders and grounded flights. In an interview, Bastian said travel demand was recovering quickly at least at home, and that the US travel industry could rebound by summer. But not all travel is expected to return so quickly. Routes to Asia in particular will likely be the "last part of our international business that returns," he said, citing the region's setbacks in vaccination efforts, as well as the distance and costs associated with trans-Pacific flights. The executive also touched on the importance of curbing the aviation industry's environmental effect, as well as the challenges American businesses face in navigating political topics like the new controversial voting law in Georgia, Delta's home state. Story features excerpts from the interview.<br/>