Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions | August 31, 2026

Aviation Industry Partners

Modification of List of Designated Airports Regarding Arrival Restrictions Published August 31, 2026

As a proactive measure to protect the safety of the American public in response to the ongoing Ebola disease outbreak, the Secretary of Homeland Security, pursuant to 6 U.S.C. l 12(a), 19 U.S.C. 1433(c), and 19 CFR 122.32, directed all flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently traveled from, or were otherwise present within, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan to arrive at Washington-Dulles International Airport IAD), where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is focusing public health resources to implement enhanced public health measures. See 91 FR 29896 (published May 21, 2026).

The arrival restrictions apply to flights departing after 11 :59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This direction considers a person to have recently traveled from the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan if that person departed from, or was otherwise present within, the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of the date of the person's entry or attempted entry into the United States. Also, crew and flights carrying only cargo (i.e., no passengers or non-crew), are excluded from the applicable measures set forth in this direction.

The Secretary's notice states that the list of designated airports may be modified by an updated publication in the Federal Register or by posting an advisory to follow at www.cbp.gov. Pursuant to the authorities cited above, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Transportation, previously modified the list of designated airports by adding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (A TL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). DHS, through CBP, is further modifying the list of designated airports by removing the following airport as a designated location:

Effective for flights departing after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, August 31, 2026, the following airport is no longer a designated airport for purposes of this arrival restriction:

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (!AH), Houston, TX

IAD, ATL and JFK remain active locations at which enhanced public health entry screening will continue to focus public health resources and implement enhanced public health measures at those locations. As set forth in the Secretary's notice, the arrival restrictions will remain in effect until superseded, modified, or revoked by publication in the Federal Register. This modification of the designated airports list shal I be effectuated by posting an advisory to www.cbp.gov.

Read C1's Updated Memo to Aviation Industry Partners - August 31, 2026

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

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