World Airways

Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays

In compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation requirements, World Airways has adopted the following Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays. This plan applies at large-hub, medium-hub, small hub and non-hub U.S. airports.

1.0 PURPOSE

World Airways' contingency plan for handling of lengthy tarmac delays in accordance with DOT Part 259-Enhanced Protections for Airline Passengers "Tarmac Rule"

2.0 SCOPE

This SOP applies to all flights scheduled passenger service or public charter service operated by World Airways using any aircraft designed with a seating capacity of 30 or more seats operating at all large, medium or small-hub and all non-hub U.S. airports that World serves, including diversion airports.

3.0 RESPONSIBILITY/AUTHORITY

Director of Security has responsibility for ensuring compliance with DOT Part 259 and has authority to create, change or modify this SOP.

4.0 PROCEDURE

Domestic Flights
World Airways’ will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours after leaving the gate (departures) or touching down (arrivals) without allowing passengers to disembark unless:

The Pilot in Command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason (e.g. weather, a directive from an appropriate government agency) why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
Air Traffic Control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

Domestic Flight Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan:
Once an aircraft’s Out to Off or On to In times exceeds 30 minutes, the Duty Manager - WOA’s Operational Control Center (OCC) and pilot-in-command will establish communication with each other to assess the anticipated delay. Each 30 minutes thereafter, the Duty Manager - OCC and pilot-in-command will update one another on the situation that is causing the delay. The pilot-in-command will provide a flight status update to the passengers every thirty minutes during the duration of the delay regarding the status of the delay, even if there is no new information to report.

The Duty Manager - OCC will coordinate with the Pilot-in-command to ensure that the affected flight:

Has adequate food and potable water available for all passengers
Has operable lavatory facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac;
Sufficient resources onboard to implement plan; normal catering for all WOA flights provides adequate supplies to achieve the contingency plan requirements.

Duty Manager - OCC will coordinate with the Ground Operations to ensure;

WOA’s plan has been coordinated with the local Ground Operations Representative, Airport Authority, CBP and TSA Offices. This process shall include coordinating with other local airlines to share facilities and equipment for the purposes of meeting the above-listed requirements
Preparations begin to disembark passengers prior to the delay reaching 3 hours, if the pilot-in-command concurs that safety of the passengers is not at risk during debarkation.

World Airways OCC will coordinate with the Pilot-in-Command to begin providing food (e.g. snack foods such as pretzels or granola bars) and drinking water no later than two (2) 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 pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.

International flights that originate or arrive at a US airport
World Airways’ will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours after leaving the gate (departures) or touching down (arrivals) without allowing passengers to disembark unless:

The Pilot in Command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason (e.g. weather, a directive from an appropriate government agency) why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
Air Traffic Control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

International Flight Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan:
Once an aircraft’s Out to Off or On to In times exceeds 30 minutes, the Duty Manager - OCC and pilot-in-command will establish communication with each other to assess the anticipated delay. Each 30 minutes thereafter, the Duty Manager - OCC and pilot-in-command will update one another on the situation that is causing the delay. The pilot-in-command will provide a flight status update to the passengers every thirty minutes during the duration of the delay regarding the status of the delay, even if there is no new information to report.

The Duty Manager - OCC will coordinate with the pilot-in-command to ensure that the affected flight:

Has adequate food and potable water available for all passengers
Has operable lavatory facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac;
Sufficient resources onboard to implement plan; normal catering for all WOA flights provides adequate supplies to achieve the contingency plan requirements.

Duty Manager - OCC will coordinate with Gound Operations to ensure;

WOA’s plan has been coordinated with the local Ground Operations Representative, Airport Authority, CBP and TSA Offices. This process shall include coordinating with other local airlines to share facilities and equipment for the purposes of meeting the above-listed requirements
Preparations begin at the 3 hour point to disembark passengers prior to the delay reaching 4 hours, if the pilot-in-command concurs that safety of the passengers is not at risk during debarkation.

World Airways will begin providing food (e.g. snack foods such as pretzels or granola bars) and drinking water no later than two (2) 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 pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.

5.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
WOA will provide sufficient resources to implement this plan. For all flights, WOA will provide operable lavatory facilities, comfortable cabin temperatures, and adequate medical assistance (if required) while the aircraft remains on the tarmac. WOA will coordinate this plan with other air carriers, airport authorities, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration at applicable U.S. airports served by WOA, including diversion airports.

6.0 DOCUMENTATION
World Airways shall retain for two years the following information about any tarmac delay that lasts at least three hours:

Length of delay
Cause of delay
Actions taken to minimize hardships for passengers, including the provision of food and water, the maintenance and servicing of lavatories, and medical assistance
Whether the flight ultimately took off or returned to the gate
An explanation for any tarmac delay that exceeded 3 hours.

7.0 DOCUMENTATION
14CFR259.4