Emirates has confirmed that it will cut some flights to the US next month, in the wake of reduced demand caused by stricter entry rules and security measures introduced by the Trump Administration.
The Dubai-based airline will cut some services to five US cities – Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando, Seattle and Fort Lauderdale – from May 2017.
“This is a commercial decision in response to weakened travel demand to US,” an Emirates spokesperson said in a statement. “The recent actions taken by the US government relating to the issuance of entry visas, heightened security vetting, and restrictions on electronic devices in aircraft cabins, have had a direct impact on consumer interest and demand for air travel into the US.”
These restrictions have included an unpopular ban on carrying large electronic devices, including laptops, in the cabins of US-bound flights from the UAE.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways issued a statement on Thursday saying that it has experienced “no significant change in demand on flights to and from the United States in recent weeks”.
“Demand continues to remain strong on all 45 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and its six US gateways of New York, Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas,” it commented.
