In the last three weeks, airfares from India to the U.S. have dropped by 30%.
What’s causing this drop, and how long will it last? A key reason is the falling demand to travel to the U.S., mainly due to visa issues linked to Donald Trump’s immigration stance.
Getting U.S. visas has become more difficult. Another reason is the weak rupee compared to the dollar. Fewer people are booking group tours to the U.S.
This slowdown is expected to last unless the current situation changes. Trump’s policies are casting doubt on many people’s American Dream.
Visa delays affecting travel
Divyang Prajapati from Ahmedabad had plans to go to the U.S. for an MBA, but he still hasn’t received a visa interview date.
This is not an isolated case—thousands of Indian students are facing the same problem. Tourists, parents of students, and visitors from all categories are struggling to get U.S. visas.
The waiting period for a tourist visa is currently 12 to 18 months. People are concerned about the Trump administration’s stance on student, tourist, green card, and other visa categories.
Divyang said, “I have completed all the preparations to go to the U.S., but I still haven’t received an interview date.”
Travel season hits a low
This is usually the peak season for students, tourists, and NRIs traveling between India and the U.S. Normally, around 25 lakh people travel during this time.
But this year, the number may drop. Reasons include fears of deportation from the U.S., the weak rupee, and a sharp fall in group tours.
That’s why airfare between India and America has fallen by 30–40%. According to experts, unless the U.S. changes its approach, the situation is unlikely to improve.
Virendra Shah, former head of TAAI (Gujarat), says, “Even in the future, flight fares from India to America are likely to stay low.
