Flight Centre Travel Group has reported significant year-on-year increases in flight bookings from the US to several international markets in April, despite the impact of the Trump administration¡¯s controversial trade policies.

The Australia-based company said that while US domestic flight bookings, made through its TMC brands FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller, were only up by 2 per cent year-on-year last month, there had been double-digit increases from the US to some international markets.

This included a 53 per cent year-on-year rise in bookings from the US to South Africa, as well as double-digit increases to the United Arab Emirates (up 52 per cent), Italy (up 31 per cent) and Brazil (up 17 per cent).

There were also increases in US corporate flight bookings to key markets such as the UK, which saw a 7 per cent uplift year-on-year, while flights to Japan rose by 6 per cent.

John Van den Heuvel, Corporate Traveller¡¯s US president, said the data showed that corporate travel demand has not slowed despite?the economic uncertainty around US tariff policy.?He added that the tariffs could have driven some of those large international increases.

¡°Following the introduction of recent tariffs, we¡¯ve noticed a bit of a shift in demand for international travel, with corporate travellers starting to explore new overseas relationships and tap into emerging markets,¡± said Van den Heuvel.

¡°With these overseas trips, businesses can identify alternative sourcing options, diversify their market presence and enhance their global reputation.¡±