Airlines brace for early 'long lines' when U.S. lifts travel restrictions

Reuters

Published Oct 26, 2021 07:39PM ET

Updated Oct 27, 2021 03:35AM ET

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) Chief Executive Ed Bastian said on Tuesday that travelers should be prepared for initial long lines when the United States lifts international travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travelers on Nov. 8.

"It's going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately ... but we'll get it sorted out," Bastian said at a U.S. travel event.

"We're going to have a good surge of demand but in order to keep that surge up we're going to need to make it easier and easier for people to figure out what the documentation requirements are."

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed an order https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-usa-travel-facts/factbox-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-u-s-international-air-travel-rules-idUSL1N2RM00E imposing new vaccine requirements for most foreign national air travelers and lifting severe travel restrictions on China, India and much of Europe effective Nov. 8.

Airlines will check vaccination documentation for international travelers as they currently do for COVID-19 test results.

U.S. Travel Chief Executive Roger Dow said in an interview he was concerned whether U.S. border officials would be prepared for the Nov. 8 surge.

"I think there will probably be a few hiccups," Dow said, saying the travel industry thinks the international travel increase "will be much bigger than people expect."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the travel event the department is preparing for a significant domestic and international holiday air travel increase. ""I think we're going to be equipped to handle what we hope to be a real surge in holiday traffic," Mayorkas said.