US airlines set to gain as Emirates pares flights to US

Dubai

US airlines stand to benefit from flight cutbacks by Dubai-based Emirates, which blamed President Donald Trump's travel restrictions for hurting demand from Middle Eastern passengers.

Emirates will pare service to five US cities after the country banned on-board electronics on flights from some Middle Eastern airports and attempted to block travel from six predominantly Muslim nations. That trims competition from the biggest Persian Gulf carrier - a persistent irritant to long-haul US operators.

With fewer flights, some Emirates passengers may switch to big European airlines and their US partners for travel from the Middle East and Asia.

American Airlines Group Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc and United Continental Holdings Inc have prodded US officials for two years to act on their complaints that US$50 billion in government support has enabled Emirates, Etihad Air…