On Wednesday 11th March the US announced a 30-day ban on travellers arriving from Schengen countries, which would take effect from Friday 13th March.
The US government has prohibited non-US citizens who are from the 26 countries that make up the European Union’s Schengen Area, or who have visited the Schengen Area in the previous two weeks from entering the United States. These countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The United States government’s policy goes into effect at 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time on March 13th 2020, but does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 23:59 Eastern Daylight Time on March 13 2020. The United States government has stated that they intend for this policy to be in place for the next 30 days.
This policy does not include or impact
- American citizens, permanent legal residents and their immediate families
- Any child, foster child or ward of a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee pursuant to the IR-4 or IH-4 visa classifications
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Anyone travelling at the invitation of the United States Government for virus-related work, certain travellers related to NATO or United Nations work and certain travellers doing work related to the CDC, Department of Homeland Security, State Department and other law enforcement issues
- Certain classes of air or sea crew members
- Anyone travelling from the United Kingdom who has not been to the Schengen Area in the last 14 days
While not prohibited from entering the United States; these travellers who have been to the Schengen Area may be required to return to the US through select airports, where enhanced screening procedures have been established.
According to OAG the ban will effect passengers arriving on nearly 7,000 flights over the next 4 weeks. This represents 11% of all US International flights.
Of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe, Germany, France and the Netherlands will be most affected as they make up 57% of all flights between the Schengen Area and the United States.
The most affected airlines will be Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, which represent 17% and 14% respectively, between the United States and the Schengen Area in this period.
Lufthansa is the most affected European airline, owning 13% between US and Schengen Europe.
While the ban is primarily focused on non-US travellers from the Schengen area to the US, there will be flights operating between US and Schengen area on a reduced schedule. We will report more once airlines have adjusted their schedule.
Source: OAG