European travel to the United States dropped sharply in March. New data shows nearly 200,000 fewer arrivals from Europe compared to last year. This March dip caused a 17.4% fall in Western European visitors.

Several factors drove this decline. Easter arrived late this year, which shifted some travel. However, strict immigration policies and tense political relations discouraged many Europeans from visiting. Reports of border issues further hurt travel sentiment.

Even though March numbers fell, airlines kept their summer schedules. Major carriers increased seat capacity from April through September. They expect strong summer demand despite March’s weak performance.

Analysts believe this slump may not last. High U.S. travel to Europe may balance the numbers. Summer remains the busiest season for vacations and student trips. Airlines want to observe trends before cutting routes.

Despite fewer March visitors, airlines added more U.S.-Europe flights. They even launched routes to new cities. Meanwhile, Canadian travel also fell after trade tensions with the U.S. This pattern may impact U.S. tourism revenue soon.

Some airlines saw fewer leisure bookings. However, business travel stayed steady. This shift shows selective changes rather than a full decline. The next few months will show if March began a lasting trend.

Related stories:

• American Airlines Unveils Exciting New Dining Options for Travelers
• Norse Atlantic Soars: 95% Load Factor in March 2025—Here’s What You Need to Know
• Air Serbia Achieves Record Growth in March 2025
• Saudia Airlines Launches Nonstop Bali to Jeddah Flights This March
• Air Astana Expands Flights, Unlocking More Travel Choices