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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.
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.
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:
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.