Emirates is decreasing flight frequency to the United States because of a drop in demand caused by heightened security measures and Trump administration attempts to ban travelers from Muslim-majority nations.
Dubai was one of 10 cities affected by a ban on laptops and other personal electronics in carry-on luggage aboard US-bound flights. The latest travel ban suspended new visas for people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and froze the nation’s refugee programme. Like an earlier ban that also included Iraqi citizens, it has been blocked from taking effect by the courts.
The decrease in frequency will affect five of its 12 US destinations, starting next month.
"The recent actions taken by the US government relating to the issuance of entry visas, heightened security vetting, and restrictions on electronic devices in aircraft cabins, have had a direct impact on consumer interest and demand for air travel into the US," the carrier said.
The cuts will reduce the number of US-bound flights from Dubai to 101, down from 126 currently.
Twice-daily Emirates flights to Boston, Los Angles and Seattle will be reduced to once a day. Daily flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando will be pared down to five per week.
