The EU has a draft list of countries that it will allow travelers to enter EU member states, with the Coronavirus of concern. The countries? Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. The US? Not on the list.
The US? It hasn't exactly moved to give the EU entry permission either.
Some rules attached to entry, even if you are on the 'can-enter' list? Yes, and it's still something that you have to pour over the odds of getting the virus, and you will be treated in each EU country.
But let's be honest.....if you pulled up 100 French, German or American travelers and said a eight to twelve hour flight would be involved, wearing a mask, and having to do a temperature check prior and after the flight....it discourages the vast majority from making some long trip anyway. For the remainder of 2020? I just don't see normal travelers returning to the 'grand-tour' vacation.
The Lufthansa management folks? If you look at what they are attempting to start up now....it's mostly all in-Europe and a handful of international flights. The majority of their planes will sit on the ground for a minimum of twelve more months, and the bulk of long-haul planes planes might not be operation until end of 2021 or even the spring of 2022. What comments that you get out of Air France or KLM....basically go along the same lines.
What I suspect will happen by late 2020....the airline, hotel, and tourist industry of Europe will go and have this urgent meeting with EU officials....basically telling them that unless something serious happens to get everyone back on a routine.....that 2021 looks lousy and unemployment will increase even more. The need for the US to have open doors to Europeans, or the EU to have open doors to Americans....will end up being a priority.
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