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Tarmac delay contingency plan

Scandinavian Airlines System’s Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays describes what SAS will implement during a lengthy tarmac delay. SAS’s goal is to make every flight a safe and pleasant experience for our customers. SAS’s Plan will be activated during times when customers on these flights are experiencing tarmac irregular operations involving a lengthy tarmac delay. In most cases the cause of lengthy tarmac delays is outside of SAS’s reasonable control (e.g., weather events, inefficiencies of today’s air traffic control (ATC) systems, government operating restrictions, and airport construction projects). There also may be times when unanticipated flights delays may occur due to airline operations, but no matter what the cause, SAS commits to implement measures under this Plan.

Sas contingency plan for lenghty tarmac delays to/from Canada

Consistent with Canadian Transport Agency’s regulations, SAS’s Plan covers all SAS scheduled and public charter flights operated to and from Canada. With respect to SAS codeshare flights operated by another carrier that depart from or arrive at a Canadian airport, the tarmac delay contingency plan of the operating carrier governs as provided for in SAS’s Conditions of Carriage. SAS will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a Canadian airport for more than three hours (or 3 hours and 45 minutes if departure is imminent) before allowing travelers to disembark, unless: i) it is impossible to disembark, including for reasons related to situations outside the control of the operating carrier (such as, but not limited to, safety and security reasons, air traffic or customs control). During a tarmac delay, SAS will provide travelers with the following, unless it is impossible for reasons related to situations outside our control (such as, but not limited to, safety and security, or air traffic or customs control):

  • Access to operable lavatory facilities.

  • Proper ventilation and cooling or heating of the aircraft;

  • Food and drink, in reasonable quantities, taking into account the length of the delay, the time of day and the location of the airport.

  • The possibility to communicate with people outside the aircraft, if feasible; and

  • If needed, SAS will also ensure that adequate medical attention is available.

During a tarmac delay, travelers will receive notifications every 30 minutes regarding the status of the tarmac delay. The operating carrier will also share information about the reason for the delay, if known. During long tarmac delays, the pilot will do its best to provide travelers with updated information and ensure that the tarmac delay becomes as short as possible by coordinating with involved parties.