US expects many vaccinated international travelers | Abroad

For example, United Airlines expects about 50 percent more incoming passengers from abroad on Monday compared to last Monday, when there were about 20,000. And Delta Air Lines reported that international bookings are up 450 percent from six weeks ago when the end of travel restrictions was announced. The airline predicts long lines for travelers to the US.

Many international flights are expected to fly close to or completely full on Monday, with high passenger volumes in the coming weeks.

Warnings

The Joe Biden administration has held several talks with US airlines to prepare for the influx of additional travelers that will arrive at US airports. Travelers crossing over from Canada and Mexico by land or ferry have been warned to be prepared for longer waiting times from Monday.

Airlines will check vaccination documentation for international travelers, as they currently do with Covid-19 test results. At land border crossings, US Customs will ask whether travelers are vaccinated and check documentation on the spot.

Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the new vaccination requirements.

New contact tracing rules will also come into effect on Monday. For example, airlines are now obliged to collect information from international air passengers if necessary “to contact travelers who have been exposed to Covid-19 variants.”

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