Tarmac delay contingency plan

US & Canada

• SAS's Contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays US

  Consistent with DOT regulations, SAS’s Plan covers all SAS scheduled and public charter flights operated to and from the U.S. With respect to SAS codeshare flights operated by another carrier that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, the tarmac delay contingency plan of the operating carrier governs as provided for in SAS’s Conditions of Carriage.

  This SAS Plan is adopted for all scheduled and public charter flights operated to and from the United States.

  • For all flights covered by this Plan that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, SAS will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S. airport for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane, unless: (i) The pilot-in-command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or (ii) Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to a gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
    
  • For all flights covered by this Plan, SAS will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure) or touches down (in the case of arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pi-lot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
    
  • For all flights covered by this Plan, SAS will provide operable lavatory facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.
    
  • For all flights covered by this Plan, SAS will ensure that passengers on the delayed flight receive notification regarding the status of the delay every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including the reasons for the tarmac delay, if known.
    
  • For all flights covered by this Plan, SAS will notify passengers on the delayed flight beginning 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time (including any revised departure time that passengers were notified about before boarding), and every 30 minutes thereafter, that they have the opportunity to deplane from the aircraft if it is at the departure gate or at another disembarkation area with the door open if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.
  • SAS has sufficient resources to implement this Plan, when necessary.
  • SAS has coordinated this Plan with airport authorities (including terminal facilities operators, where applicable) at all U.S. airports that SAS serves, including regular U.S. diversion airports.
  • SAS has coordinated this Plan with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at each U.S. airport that SAS serves regularly, including regular U.S. diversion airports.
• SAS's Contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays Canada

  Consistent with CTA regulations, SAS’s Plan covers all SAS scheduled and public charter flights operated to and from the 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.

  The operating carrier 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) or, at a US airport, for more than four (4) hours. Prior to reaching these timelines, the airline will return the aircraft to the gate or another suitable disembarkation point, where passengers will be allowed to deplane.
  
  These timelines do not apply if providing an opportunity for passengers to disembark is not possible, including for reasons related to situations outside carrier’s control, such as safety and security, or air traffic or customs control.
  During a tarmac delay, the operating carrier will provide passengers, unless it is not possible for reasons related to situations outside carrier’s control, such as safety and security, or air traffic or customs control, with:

  • adequate food and potable water in reasonable quantities after the aircraft doors are closed (in the case of departure) or has landed (in the case of arrival);
  • proper ventilation and heating or cooling of the cabin;
  • the means to communicate with people outside the aircraft, if feasible; and
  • access to operable lavatory facilities.

  The operating carrier will also ensure adequate medical attention is available, if needed.
  Passengers will receive notifications from the operating carrier regarding the status of the tarmac delay every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including the reason for the delay, if known. During long "on-aircraft" delays, the pilot tries to obtain updated information and keep customers informed throughout the delay, and coordinate with involved parties to ensure that the tarmac delay is as short as possible.