Monday’s earnings downgrade by Flight Centre suggests it’s the canary in the coal mine – or the airline cabin.

It’s an early sign of how US President Donald Trump’s trade war is impacting global consumer confidence. Additionally, it provides evidence that American immigration officials’ “enhanced vetting” is spooking travellers to the United States.

This little bird hasn’t fallen from its perch, but it is squawking a bit.

Flight Centre downgraded its profit guidance on Monday morning.Credit: Dan Peled

The travel company’s update revealed that “recent US developments” had led to lower-than-expected total transactional value growth in core brands, which was impacting overall profit margins.

Social media and increasingly mainstream media have been documenting hairy tales of visitors being detained at US airports, having their electronic devices searched and some being disallowed entry.

A long line of countries has issued updated advisories about the risks of visiting the US.

And then there is the cohort of travellers who are refusing to holiday in........

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