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VACCINE MANDATES LIFTED FOR FOREIGN AIR TRAVELERS TODAY

As travelers start booking trips, how will the post-pandemic demand impact prices?

(Photo: C. Pastrana)

 

By Chrissie Pastrana

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted airline travel for the last few years. With closed borders and popular vacation destinations forced to turn away customers, travelers missed family moments and opportunities for adventure and rest. Fast forward to three years later, the borders are opening up, and the Biden Administration is lifting vaccine mandates for air travel.

Starting today, “vaccine requirements for federal workers and federal contractors, as well as foreign air travelers to the U.S., will end,” allowing unvaccinated people to enter the country.

Kate Vinning from Tamworth, United Kingdom, has been eagerly waiting for President Biden to lift the travel restrictions for the United States. “When I was told the Biden Administration is ending vaccine mandates for travel, I immediately began planning my trip to New York. I have not been able to see my family since the pandemic started, and it will be nice to reunite with them again.”

While consumers are busy booking their getaways to make up for lost time from the lockdown, they should prepare for rising ticket prices due to increased consumer demand. AAA states international travel has increased by 200% this year, and airfare for international travel from Europe has spiraled anywhere from 15% to 50%.

According to nerdwallet.com, as of March 2023, there has also been a 9% increase in airline ticket prices resulting from inflation and low staff supply.

Prices for international travel come with a hefty price point, especially with the summer coming. Vinning said, “I had to wait until the last minute to book any kind of travel plans, and I almost was unable to come to the States because of the increases in airline tickets. I have been looking for months, and it costs an arm and leg for my family to come to visit the States. I hope the prices for airline tickets level out soon.” However, from June to late September, the average cost for a coach flight is $2,571, a 63% increase from pre-pandemic travel.

People are looking for affordable options for their vacation destinations and quality deals for airfare. According to former United Airlines Employee Mayle Licciardi, “People say the best days to travel is during midweek, which is Tuesday or Wednesday. I have also seen airline tickets that are more affordable on Saturdays.” Licciardi mentioned the moving parts contributing to travel affordability. “Many other things are involved: destination, events happening in the city someone is traveling to, if there’s a holiday involved, the season as well.”

The pandemic also gave people a different perspective regarding travel because of the time in lockdown. People are “revenge traveling” because of the closing of the borders and vacation destinations. Furthermore, people stay at their destinations longer, resulting in more revenue for the final destination.

 

(Photo C. Pastrana)

 

Liccardi shared her expertise with the current airline ticket trend. “The pandemic just made people scared of losing their friends and families. It made everyone aware of how important it is to enjoy time with them, but the time we were locked in our homes was a learning experience to appreciate freedom. Therefore, the pandemic created a stronger need to travel.”

To stay updated on the latest travel information, head to https://www.faa.gov/ to learn more.

 

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