Airline groups urge US CDC to reconsider Ebola declaration requirements

WASHINGTON, - Groups representing major American and foreign airlines urged the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reconsider new rules requiring all US-bound travelers to attest they have not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the prior 21 days starting next week.

The International Air Transport Association and Airlines for America in separate previously unreported letters reviewed by Reuters urged the CDC to reconsider the plan that takes effect next Tuesday and is aimed at preventing entry by people exposed to Ebola.

"It is unreasonable for the U.S. government to require all airlines serving the U.S. market to modify their procedures to accommodate the collection of attestations from each individual (passenger and crew) flying to the United States in less than two weeks," IATA said.