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World

Airlines Seek Delay on Ebola Travel Rule

U.S. and international airlines urge CDC to delay new Ebola-related travel requirement for U.S. flights.

New York Editorial News Desk October 29, 2026 2 min read

The Brief

  • Airlines request delay in implementation of new Ebola travel rule starting Nov. 3.
  • Passengers must confirm no recent travel to DRC within 21 days before boarding.
  • CDC says rule aims to reduce risk of Ebola entering the U.S. through air travel.

Major U.S. and international airline groups are urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to delay a new Ebola-related travel requirement that will affect millions of passengers flying into the United States.

The CDC announced that starting Nov. 3, all passengers on international flights to the U.S. will need to confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days.

The requirement applies to everyone flying into or connecting through the U.S., including American citizens, green card holders, and airline crew members, according to the CDC.

Travelers must complete a paper or digital statement before boarding, even if they have never visited the DRC. Airlines must collect these forms and retain them for at least 42 days after the flight arrives in the U.S.

Airlines for America (A4A), representing major carriers such as American, Delta, Southwest, United, and JetBlue, is asking the CDC to reconsider the requirement and grant airlines more time to prepare.

A4A supports the CDC's public health goals but argues that the new rule is too broad and introduced too quickly. The group requested a delay in the Nov. 3 start date, citing the difficulty of implementing changes to check-in systems, digital signatures, and training within the given timeframe.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing over 370 airlines worldwide, also asked the CDC to reconsider the requirement, calling it unreasonable for the U.S. government to expect all airlines to modify procedures in less than two weeks.

The CDC stated the rule is intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the U.S. through air travel. The 21-day period reflects the maximum time it could take for symptoms to appear after exposure.

Anyone who has been in the DRC during that period, including those who only passed through an airport there, will not be allowed to board a U.S.-bound flight unless they have a government exemption.

Travelers who provide false information could face prosecution and fines, according to the CDC.

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