American Airlines Launches New Direct Route Amid Protests

New Flights from U.S. to Europe and Latin America

As the summer season approaches, U.S. airlines are expanding their networks with new flights to popular European and Latin American destinations. Among these developments, American Airlines has announced the launch of six new routes to Europe, one of which will debut at the end of this month. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity between the U.S. and key international markets.

Miami to Milan: A New Direct Route

American Airlines will introduce a direct flight between Miami and Milan, following a significant event in Italy where protests against the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took place. The route will start on Sunday, March 29, and operate daily. Flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, offering year-round service. Traveling from Miami to Milan will take approximately 9 hours and 35 minutes, while the return trip will last around 10 hours and 15 minutes.

This new route complements existing flights to Rome, which began in the summer of 2025. With this addition, American Airlines will provide a record number of 18 daily flights from the U.S. to Italy and Greece. The airline’s plan for 2026 includes five additional routes to Europe, such as:

• Dallas to Athens
• Dallas to Zurich
• Philadelphia to Budapest
• Philadelphia to Prague

Protests Against ICE Agents in Italy

While Milan is generally considered a safe city, recent protests have raised concerns among tourists. On February 6, hundreds of Italians gathered in Milan to protest against the presence of ICE agents in their country. Demonstrators carried banners with messages like “ICE should be in my drinks, not my city.” Italian politicians also expressed their disapproval, with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stating, “This is a militia that kills… of course, they’re not welcome in Milan.”

Despite assurances from Italy’s Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, that ICE agents have no executive function in the country, public skepticism persisted. On the day of the Winter Olympics inauguration, three separate attacks were reported against Italy’s railway system, although these were later found to be unrelated to the presence of ICE agents.

U.S. Government and ICE Deployments

The U.S. government often deploys specific ICE agents, typically from the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit, to major sporting events. These units are frequently present at significant events both within and outside the U.S., including the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup. However, changing perceptions of ICE agents have led to demonstrations in several countries, including Canada.

Travel Advisory and Safety Tips

Italy remains on the U.S. Department of State’s “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” list, similar to advisories for France, the U.K., and Germany. The advisory recommends that tourists:

• Stay alert in tourist spots
• Regularly check local media for breaking news
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies

Additionally, the advisory warns against buying counterfeit goods, vandalizing historic monuments, and using aerial drones, which can result in fines or detentions. Tourists are also advised to avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

Tourism Trends in Italy and the U.S.

According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), Italy saw an increase in international tourists between July and September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, ISTAT does not report the exact number of U.S. tourists in the country, making it difficult to determine if there has been an increase compared to 2024.

On the other hand, the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) reports the precise number of Italian tourists who visited the U.S. in 2025, showing mixed results. For instance, in October 2025, the U.S. welcomed 2.3% fewer Italians, while November reported a 1.5% decline. Preliminary data for December 2025 and January 2026 show a more positive trend, with a 7% increase in December and a 1.4% increase in January. However, these numbers are still preliminary and may change in the future.