Emirates cuts flights to US as demand weakens

Image via official Emirates Faceboook page

The Dubai-based airline said that it would cut services to five US cities -- Los Angeles, Boston, Orlando, Seattle and Fort Lauderdale -- starting from next month.

"This is a commercial decision in response to weakened travel demand to the US," a spokesperson for the carrier said in a statement.

"The recent actions taken by the US government relating to the issuance of entry visas, heightened security vetting, and restrictions on electronic devices in aircraft cabins, have had a direct impact on consumer interest and demand for air travel into the US," it added.

Frustration at electronic device carry-on ban

Travellers have expressed frustration at a carry-on ban on large electronic devices that took effect last month on US-bound flights mostly from the Middle East and North Africa.

It followed an attempt by Trump to impose a travel ban on refugees and on travellers from six Muslim-majority nations.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways in a statement published on Wednesday by the official WAM news agency said demand for its 45 flights a week to the US "remains strong".