Americans back in the air: toward recovery at 100% of fleets
Americans are flying again: this is the effect of the vaccination campaign, which is proceeding apace in the United States. The TSA (Transportation Security [...]
American Airlines
Oneworld
Americans fly again: This is the effect of the vaccination campaign, which is proceeding apace in the United States.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Friday, April 2, surveyed 1,580,785 passengers at U.S. airports. A true record since the pandemic began. The figures come just a day after Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urged Americans not to travel except for essential reasons. Those who have been vaccinated can travel without problems, it is true. But the increase in cases in recent days has set off a (small) alarm bell.
However, the trend is clear: Americans are flying again. And, since last March 11, the numbers have never fallen below one million daily.
How Americans are flying again
While the United States is talking about a possible Reopening the borders with Europe, Americans are flying again. However, it is still too early to speak of a tourism revival: the numbers, although up, are still far from pre-pandemic levels. In all likelihood, the real recovery will happen this summer (so much so that TSA has decided to hire 6,000 new officers).
Those who have received two doses of vaccine at least 15 days in advance can travel without risk. He can move within the United States, does not have to undergo swabbing before flying, nor does he have to undergo quarantine once he returns home. Of course, he must comply with safety regulations: wear a face mask, keep his distance, wash his hands often. Not only that, vaccinated Americans can also fly abroad without first undergoing swabbing, unless the destination country requires it. When they return home, they do not have to be in isolation, but they must still perform a Testing for Covid-19 before boarding the return flight.. A second test should be done after 3 to 5 days.
Those who are not vaccinated, on the other hand, must take a test 1-3 days before departure for a domestic flight. And they must take a second test 3-5 days after return, self-isolating for 7 days (10 if they choose not to swab).
American Airlines' plans
The cautious recovery of travel within the United States is also evidenced by the optimism of airlines. Just look at the numbers of American Airlines: bookings through the company's website and app increased by 150-400% compared to the same period in 2020 in the first week of April. And, the weekend, recorded even more bookings than the same dates in 2019. The fleet is back in operation at 80% on the home front, and aims to achieve the 100% by May.
Most Americans, moreover, are already thinking about their summer vacations. And the airlines intend not to ground any more planes. This, although the American Airlines fleet is smaller than usual. The pandemic has accelerated the retirement of several aircraft, including fifteen Airbus A330-200s, nine Airbus A330-300s, thirty-four Boeing 757-200s, sixteen Boeing 767-300s, and twenty Embraer 190s. The company will therefore fly only 777s and 787s until the debut (presumably in 2023) of the A321XLRs.
What matters, however, seems to be only the recovery of tourism. The desire and the possibility to fly again, in and out of the borders.
