Airlines challenge new US Ebola rules
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
The International Air Transport Association and Airlines for America are asking US health authorities to abandon the attestation required from passengers and crew who have travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The measure, intended to prevent people exposed to Ebola from entering, is due to take effect on 3 November, according to letters seen by Reuters.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America have asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to review the requirement for travellers to the United States to attest that they have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days. The measure is due to take effect on 3 November, according to letters seen by Reuters.
The new rule requires a digital or paper attestation from every passenger and crew member travelling to the United States. Airlines for America, which represents United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines among others, considers the timetable unworkable because airlines must modify their check-in systems, procedures and staff training in less than two weeks.
The organisation said US Customs and Border Protection had screened about 130 million air passengers in 2025, fewer than 25,000 of whom had a connection to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. IATA also disputes the exclusion of maritime and land transport from the measure and is asking for crew members, US military personnel and passengers travelling in crew-reserved seats to be exempted, according to Reuters.
The United States has banned the entry of foreign travellers who stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous three weeks since May. The measure was extended to US citizens in July as part of the response to the 2026 Ebola outbreak, according to Reuters.
