The Last Post: Airline chiefs gamble on US reopening to clear them for takeoff

IAG’s chief executive said business will be back to 90 per cent capacity by next summer, but airline lessors estimate it could take until 2024 to return to normal

America is open again to travellers from the EU and Britain – but initial takeup may be lower than expected. Picture: Getty

It will be interesting to see just how quickly the volume of trans-Atlantic traffic picks up, now that the US is open to people from the EU and Britain again from tomorrow.

There have been some flights over the last 21 months, of course, but only returning US citizens and those who have successfully pitched to gain entry under the narrow criteria available were allowed to board them.

Many of the aircraft servicing the trans-Atlantic ...