RELATED: The CDC Just Banned You From Bringing This on Flights. During a conference hosted by the U.S. Travel Association on Oct. 26, Ed Bastian, chief executive officer of Delta Airlines, discussed how the upcoming change in travel restrictions for international visitors to the U.S. would create a surge at airports not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic brought global travel to a halt. He admitted that most airlines were bracing for an “onslaught of travel all at once” as eager flyers took to the sky again, The Post reports. “It’s going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines, unfortunately … but we’ll get it sorted out,” Bastian warned. “We’re going to have a good surge of demand, but in order to keep that surge up, we’re going to need to make it easier and easier for people to figure out what the documentation requirements are.” Bastian’s comments came just a day after the White House officially announced that it was lifting travel restrictions that have been in place for many international travelers from 33 countries. Under the current travel ban, most foreign nationals who have been in the U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, China, and 26 countries within the European Union within the past 14 days are currently barred from entering the U.S. India was also added to the list of countries in early May. RELATED: Another Major Airline Is Cutting Flights for the Next 2 Months. According to a statement from the White House, the new rules will require that all international visitors to the U.S. aged 18 or older show proof they are fully vaccinated to board their flights. In addition, all travelers, including unvaccinated children, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of their departing flight. As such, airlines are warning that travelers can expect longer lines as ground crew verifies documents and as a wave of eager travelers begins to pass through American airports once again. “With science and public health as our guide, the United States has developed a new international air travel system that both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and enhances the safety of international air travel,” the White House said in its statement. For more travel news sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb RELATED: Never Do This When Your Flight Is Canceled, Travel Expert Warns. But in another interview, Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, pushed back on the assumption that airport staff would be immediately overwhelmed. Instead, he assured that his department had already been preparing for a significant surge in the volume of domestic and international travelers as the holidays approached to avoid longer lines for travelers. “I think we’re going to be equipped to handle what we hope to be a real surge in holiday traffic,” he said.
