Summer travel in Europe is much lower – and one airline CEO thinks he knows why

A summer jaunt to Europe was the norm for college graduates or wealthy families enjoying a few weeks off.

That time-honored tradition is at risk, industry experts warn, as crowds under the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum become noticeably less American between May and August.

And there’s a simple reason for the change, insiders say record high temperatures across the continent are making people sweat.

“The weather in Europe in August is really hot … people who have choices about when they can take their vacations are moving to, let’s call them, milder months,” said Delta Air Lines President, Glen Hauenstein. on an earnings call, according to NBC News.

The dire situation is “continuing to shift travel to Europe in particular from a peak in July and August to a peak in September and October,” he explained.

This summer, the northern hemisphere reported the hottest temperatures on record, according to the European Union’s climate monitoring agency.

The heat wave beat last year’s record highs.

In response, airlines are now expanding their flight schedules to accommodate travelers’ shifting habits.

Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, announced that the company would “extend the season.”

The airline began flying several European routes in March and April this year, some of which will now continue until late October and early November.

“What we’re seeing is, more and more, travelers are going to those seasons where you can get a little bit more value and I think the weather is a little bit better,” he added.

As the climate changes, it is also changing where in Europe people want to go.

Travelers are starting to show less interest in the hottest Mediterranean countries — instead booking trips to more temperate countries like Scandinavia, CNN reported.

In general, however, tourists continue to descend on Europe in large numbers throughout the year – much to the chagrin of the locals.