The reopening of the United States borders, Monday, November 8, allows the airlines to hope for a rebound of their long-haul business.
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Already, the airlines rub his hands. With the reopening of the United States borders, Monday, November 8, it is the rush of the passengers, even if the door is open for the moment for only 32 countries and reserved for visitors doubly vaccinated and tested. Search engines and online booking sites are stormed. KAYAK noted a 552% increase in the number of requests for flights to the United States since the authorities announced the lifting of the quarantine. According to the site, it is even 126% compared to the same period of 2019, before the Pandemic of Covid-19.
This jostlade at the gate makes the honey of the airlines. Air France found a “significant increase in reservations from the first announcement of the (…) reopening borders”, in October. For the company, this “first thrust” was followed by “a continuation of reservations” as soon as the US authorities set a specific date, after nineteen months of closure. To deal with this influx, it resolved “to increase its capabilities”. On November 8, the first day of the lifting of the barriers, she made fifteen transatlantic flights. All were “full or quasi full”. Just for New York, it transported 1,500 passengers, and 4,200 to total to its three US destinations.
Air France is not the only one to have a smile. Other French companies like Air Caribbean and the company also benefit from the boon. The reopening of American borders is “a very good news. There is undoubtedly an effect of boost. For New York, we sell three times more than three weeks ago,” rejoiced Marc Rochet, President of Air Caribbean. However, “if there is a real request, there is no explosion either,” he nurses. The filling rate of aircraft passed “at 80%, while it did not exceed 56% to 60%” when only US passengers could circulate.
Nevertheless, the unlocking of the American sky is “a real relief” for the company which, before the health crisis, did not operate business class flights between Paris and New York. Like its competitors, Christian Vernet, its president, welcomes an “influx of passengers”. According to him, “reservations have been multiplied by three and the flights of the week are full”.
A major strategic and financial issue
Better, this embellish could continue. The company reports that its flights are already filled “80% in November and [that] the forecasts are excellent for December”. Air Caribbean takes the same observation, announcing “very well engaged flights for Christmas”. Air France, for its part, prepares to reopen its line to Seattle from December 6th.
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