European Flights: Airports Open For Travel

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to air travel, with many countries imposing travel restrictions and border closures. However, as restrictions ease, some airports are once again accepting European flights. During the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, the United States implemented a 30-day travel ban, allowing only 11 approved airports to receive passengers from specific areas of Europe, including major hub airports such as Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). These airports were expected to handle flights from the Schengen area, which includes European cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. As of 2022, European airports continue to experience flight delays and cancellations due to staffing shortages, congestion, and the avoidance of Russian airspace. Despite these challenges, European operators plan to maintain services to the USA, adapting their schedules to meet customer demand.

US airports accepting European flights

The US has implemented several policies that have made it more challenging for European citizens to travel to the country. In 2024, more than 13 million people visited the US from Western Europe alone, according to the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. However, spending by those visiting the US is projected to fall by 12.3%, resulting in a potential loss of $22 billion. This decline in travel to the US from Western Europe is attributed to both tariffs and the Trump administration's perceived alignment with Russia in the Ukraine war.

In addition, several European countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Finland, have issued travel advisories for their citizens planning to travel to the US. These advisories warn travellers to strictly adhere to the US's entry rules to avoid the risk of detention due to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration enforcement. Furthermore, some European travellers have been detained or deported by US immigration officials, leading to heightened advisories from certain European countries.

For travellers from Europe, there are only 11 airports approved by the Department of Homeland Security to accept flights. These airports include:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas-Fort Worth
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C.

These airports serve as the primary entry points for passengers flying directly from Europe to the United States. It is important for European travellers to stay updated with the latest travel advisories and requirements to ensure a smooth journey to the US.

European flights during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted air travel, with numerous countries imposing travel restrictions and flight cancellations. However, as of March 2020, some airports in the United States were still accepting flights from Europe, albeit with specific conditions and restrictions in place.

During the early stages of the pandemic, the Trump administration implemented a 30-day travel ban on flights from Europe to help curb the spread of the virus. Despite this ban, a select few airports were approved by the Department of Homeland Security to receive passengers from specific areas of Europe, particularly the Schengen area, which includes cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. These airports included Miami International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Boston's Logan International Airport.

There were eleven federally approved airports in total that were authorized to accept flights from Europe during this period. These included major hub airports such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), among others.

The pandemic has also caused significant disruptions to air travel within Europe. During the summer of 2022, European airports experienced a sharp increase in passenger numbers due to the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions. This surge in travel demand, coupled with staffing shortages and congestion caused by the avoidance of Russian airspace, led to delays and longer waiting times at airports across the continent. Airlines also faced challenges in handling flight operations efficiently, resulting in potential inconveniences for passengers.

As countries continue to navigate the pandemic, it is essential for travellers to stay informed about the latest restrictions and guidelines. While airports are gradually resuming operations, travellers should expect potential delays, allow ample time for connections, and be prepared for possible last-minute changes or cancellations. It is also crucial to be aware of your rights as a passenger, as outlined in the European Union's EC 261 regulation, which provides protections and compensation in cases of flight-related issues.

Cancelled European flights

In 2020, the US government implemented a 30-day ban on flights from Europe, which affected travel to and from the Schengen area. This region includes major European cities such as Paris, Barcelona, and Rome. During this time, only 11 airports in the United States were approved by the Department of Homeland Security to accept flights from Europe. These were major hub airports:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Dallas-Fort Worth
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Francisco
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Seattle
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the above, Miami International Airport was also listed as one of the airports accepting flights from Europe during the travel restrictions. However, it is unclear whether Miami was one of the 11 approved airports or an additional 12th airport.

If your European flight has been cancelled, you may be entitled to compensation under the European Union's EC 261 regulation. This law holds airlines accountable and requires them to assist you, refund your ticket, or compensate you for problems with your flight or baggage. You may be eligible for compensation of up to $650 per passenger. To file a claim, keep your boarding pass and any other relevant documents, such as those containing your booking confirmation code.

During the summer of 2022, flights operated within Europe and European airports experienced disruptions due to several factors, including a sharp increase in the number of airline passengers following the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions, staffing shortages, and congestion on flight routes due to the avoidance of Russian airspace. These issues may have resulted in flight cancellations and delays.

Delayed European flights

If your European flight is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation under the European Union's EC 261 regulation. This regulation applies to all airports within the European Union, as well as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It also applies to flights departing from airports outside of these areas if they are operated by European airlines. To be eligible for compensation, your flight must be delayed by at least three hours, and the amount you can receive depends on the flight distance. You can claim compensation for delays of up to three years, and it is important to keep all your flight-related documents, such as your boarding pass and booking confirmation.

In addition to financial compensation, the EC 261 regulation also requires airlines to provide assistance to passengers affected by delays. This includes rebooking on alternate flights and providing ticket refunds. If your delay causes you to miss a connecting flight, the airline that operated the delayed flight is responsible for providing assistance. They should also help if your checked baggage fails to arrive at your destination.

During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there were specific travel restrictions and approved airports for handling flights from Europe. For example, in the United States, only 11 airports were approved by the Department of Homeland Security to accept flights from Europe, including Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Miami International Airport was also one of the few airports that received passengers from specific areas of Europe during that time.

European flights to the US

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the US government imposed travel restrictions on flights from Europe. During this time, only 11 airports in the US were approved by the Department of Homeland Security to accept flights from Europe. These were:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Miami International Airport

These airports were chosen because they are major hubs that are also certified to handle flights from China.

In addition to the US restrictions, several European countries also implemented their own travel bans. For example, the Czech Republic imposed a total 30-day ban on travel, while Moldova suspended all flights to European destinations for two weeks.

As of summer 2022, flights within Europe and European airports are experiencing disruptions due to several factors, including a sharp increase in the number of airline passengers due to the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions, staffing shortages, and congestion on flight routes due to the avoidance of Russian airspace. These issues have resulted in longer waiting times and baggage return delays.

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