Major international airline groups have urged the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reconsider new requirements asking all passengers and crew members travelling to the United States to declare that they have not visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the previous 21 days.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America (A4A) raised concerns in separate letters to the CDC, arguing that the measures, scheduled to take effect on November 3, would be difficult to implement within the limited timeframe.
Under the new order, all passengers and crew members on US-bound flights must submit digital or paper declarations confirming they have not been in the DRC during the previous three weeks. The requirement aims to reduce the risk of Ebola transmission into the United States.
IATA, which represents more than 370 airlines across over 130 countries, said airlines would face significant operational challenges in updating check-in systems, collecting passenger declarations and training staff within less than two weeks.
Similarly, Airlines for America, representing major US carriers including United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines, described the requirements as impractical. The organisation said changes to digital systems, signature procedures, airport operations and employee training could not be completed within the available timeframe.
The group also called on the CDC to consider a more proportionate response, highlighting that US Customs and Border Protection screened approximately 130 million air passengers in 2025, while fewer than 25,000 had connections to the DRC.
IATA also questioned why the declaration requirements applied only to air travel, while maritime and land-based transportation were excluded from the measures. Airlines for America further urged the CDC to exempt crew members, US military personnel and jumpseat travellers, citing the additional costs and administrative burden on airlines.
The CDC had introduced restrictions in May, preventing foreign airline passengers who had visited the DRC within the previous 21 days from entering the United States. The restrictions were extended to US citizens in July. Earlier this year, similar measures were introduced for foreign nationals who had travelled to Uganda or South Sudan.
The measures follow the 2026 Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, which spread undetected for several months before being officially declared in May. The virus has a reported fatality rate of around 50%, with no approved treatment or vaccine currently available.
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