International travel demand is high at DFW heading into summer

Fort Worth-based American Airlines will have up to 19 daily long-haul international departures from DFW Airport during the summer.

Why it matters: Travel demand — especially international — is predicted to be high this summer, matching pre-pandemic levels.

State of play: Airfares rose nearly 18% in March compared with March 2022, per the latest Consumer Price Index figures.

• But inflated ticket prices don't appear to be a deterrent. Flight searches are up 25% overall for June through August compared to the same time last year, per Expedia.

What's happening: Over the summer, American will offer 12 daily flights from DFW to Europe, including four daily trips to London and two flights a day to both Rome and Paris, a spokesperson tells Axios.

• The airline also has seasonal service to Amsterdam and Dublin.
• Plus, the carrier has resumed direct flights from DFW to both Tokyo international airports after a three-year hiatus.

Meanwhile: The airline just concluded its first season offering nonstop flights from DFW to Auckland, New Zealand.

• Nonstop service to Auckland will resume later this year, closer to the destination's peak summer season.

Yes, but: American is one of the airlines reducing domestic flights to New York after the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily relaxed some minimum flight requirements due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, per Reuters.

• Air traffic control staffing was a factor in more than 41,000 delays from New York airports last summer.

Reality check: Even if people are willing to pay more to travel this summer, it's likely to be a frustrating experience.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that American Airlines will have up to 19 daily long-haul international flights from DFW. That number does not include short- or medium-haul international flights.