Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan
We have implemented this Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan (the “Plan”) which applies to all of our scheduled and public charter flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport.
We have established this Plan to comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation “Enhanced Protection for Airline Passenger” regulations (14 CFR Part 259). If you experience a lengthy delay on the tarmac in the U.S., we'll ensure you're handled in accordance with our Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan.
On the Tarmac
For flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S station, we will not allow our aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours before allowing passengers to disembark.
The following is an exception to that:
- For departing flights, when the flight begins to return to a suitable disembarkation point no later than four hours after the main aircraft door is closed in order to deplane passengers. If the aircraft is in an area that is not under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when a request is made to the Federal Aviation Administration control tower, airport authority, or other relevant authority directing the aircraft’s operations. If the aircraft is in an area under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when the pilot begins maneuvering the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point; or
- The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety-related or security-related reason the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
- Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
On board: food, water and restrooms
For all flights covered by the Plan, we will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after our aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of a departure) or touches down (in the case of an arrival) if our aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
For all flights covered by the Plan, we will provide operable lavatory facilities, maintain comfortable cabin temperatures, and ensure adequate medical attention if needed, while our aircraft remains on the tarmac.
Keeping you updated
In case of lengthy delays on the tarmac our crew will keep passengers updated about the current status of the flight and the reason for the delay if it is known. We will notify the status when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes.
Additionally, we will notify passengers on board the aircraft that passengers have the opportunity to deplane each time the opportunity to deplane exists at a suitable disembarkation point for all departing flights and diversions.
We have sufficient resources to implement the Plan.
We have coordinated the Plan with all applicable airport authorities, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, at all U.S. airports that we serve, including all diversion airports, and, if necessary, will work with airport authorities and other airlines to share facilities and make gates available in an emergency.
