EU leaders meeting to discuss the Afghan and Covid-19 crises are considering re-imposing restrictions on US arrivals following a surge in infections in the US.
European heads of governments were due to discuss curbs on US visitors proposed by Slovenia at a meeting today, according to business news agency Bloomberg.
New Covid cases in the US hit more than 500 per 100,000 inhabitants in the first two weeks of August, almost seven times the EU limit of 75.
The Airlines for Europe group of carriers said a decision to re-impose restrictions would be “hugely disappointing”.
It would be up to individual member states whether they followed an EU ruling, which would be considered ‘guidance’ and not mandatory.
A decision to re-impose restrictions would require backing from a qualified majority of EU member states.
US borders remain closed to EU travellers despite the EU opening its borders to the US in mid-June.
UK travellers are also denied entry to the US although the UK opened to US visitors from August 2.
The one-way traffic has nevertheless seen US-EU air traffic return to almost 50% of its pre-pandemic level.
Lufthansa group chief executive Carsten Spohr reported earlier this month that the North Atlantic is back as “the most important long-haul market even though we can only sell on one side”.