Philippine Airlines Contingency Plan on Long Tarmac Delays

Philippine Airlines Contingency Plan on Long Tarmac Delays

 

(Issued in compliance with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001 s. 2023)

Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL), in compliance with, Joint Memorandum Circular No. 001 s. 2023 hereby adopts this contingency plan on long tarmac delays. This plan applies to PAL’s scheduled services at departure, destination, and diversion airports within the Philippines.

As used throughout this plan, the term “tarmac delay” means when the aircraft remains on ground for two (2) hours or more, reckoned from the time the aircraft door is closed or from the time the aircraft lands and is parked with no opportunity for its passengers to deplane, either before taking off or after landing,  due to security and/or safety reasons and such other causes as may be determined by the air traffic and/or airport ramp or ground control.

 

I.         Commencement of Deplaning procedures

The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) shall ensure the comfort and convenience of the passengers on board an aircraft especially during long tarmac delays. The PIC shall immediately commence deplaning procedures of passengers on board an aircraft held at the tarmac  upon breaching the three (3) hour threshold for all flights.


II.       Tarmac Delay Limitations

In no case shall deplaning of passengers exceed three (3) hours for all domestic and international flights, reckoned from the closing of the aircraft doors or upon aircraft touchdown during landing.

The PIC may commence deplaning of passengers beyond the aforementioned period under any of the following circumstances:

  1. The PIC determines that there is safety-related or security-related reason(s) preventing the deplaning of passengers. The PIC shall obtain a certification to this effect from the relevant airport authority;
  2. Air Traffic and/or Airport Ramp or Ground Control advises the PIC, whether through the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) or other recognized means of aeronautical communication, that returning to the gate for disembarkation or permitting the passengers to disembark at another disembarkation point will significantly disrupt airport operations; or
  3. The PIC receives a notice from Air Traffic and/or Airport Ground or Ramp Control, through ATIS or other recognized means of aeronautical communication, advising that the flight can depart within thirty (30) minutes after breaking the three-hour threshold. PAL may further put on hold the  deplaning of passengers beyond the three (3) hour threshold to no more than two (2) thirty (30)- minute Notices issued by the ORCC/Air Traffic Service (ATS). In lieu of NOTAMs, PAL shall likewise consider notices from the ATIS or other recognized means of aeronautical communication as sufficient notice to the PIC.
  4. There is no available sanitized area to hold deplaned passengers upon the advice of the airport authority at the departure, arrival or diversion airport. 
  5. PAL determines, by reason of complying with crew hours, and taking into some or all of the circumstances mentioned above, may, if it deems it safer or more efficient, return to the airport of origin than deplane at the destination or diversion airport.

Should PAL have reason to believe it cannot return to the gate immediately or within a reasonable period for proper deplaning of passengers to comply with the three (3)-hour threshold, PAL will make reasonable attempts to deplane passengers earlier.

 

III.      Adequate Food and Potable Water

For all flights, PAL assures that it will provide adequate food and potable water no later than three (3)hours after the aircraft leaves the gate, in case of departure, or touches down, in case of arrival, if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless there are safety or security constraints that would preclude such service.


IV.    Operable Lavatory Facilities and Medical Attention

PAL assures its passengers of operable lavatory facilities, satisfactorily working aircraft air conditioning, as well as medical attention if needed, while the aircraft is on the tarmac


V.       Adequate Resources

PAL assures that it has adequate resources to implement this contingency plan.


VI.      Coordination with Airport and Other Government Authorities

To ensure that this plan is coordinated with airport authorities, PAL shall coordinate this contingency plan not only with its departure or destination airport(s) but also with airports that will serve as diversion airports.

PAL shall make prior coordination with relevant government agencies such as the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Office of the Transport Security and other Airport Authorities any deplaning/disembarkation procedures to be undertaken.


VII.     Notifications

PAL shall timely and accurately update passengers of the status of their flight.

The PIC shall make timely (30 minutes after the scheduled and communicated departure time or arrival time, and at least every 30 minutes thereafter but without delay when new relevant information becomes available) and accurate announcement of any advice from the airport authorities or information as to:

  1. the status of the flight or delay thereof;
  2. the reason for such delay and other relevant information such as, but not limited to: weather conditions along the flight path and at the destination airport, and possibility of deplaning;
  3. that passengers have the opportunity to deplane from an aircraft that is at the gate or another disembarkation area with the door open if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.

PAL shall inform its passengers of actual disembarkation procedures to be undertaken.


VIII.   Other Facilities

After deplaning, PAL will provide, as much as practicable, accommodation, when necessary, food and communication services to allow the inconvenienced passengers to call relatives or make necessary arrangements for their remaining flights or other onward destinations. PAL shall likewise timely and accurately update passengers of the status of their flights.

 

IX.      Point Person

PAL shall designate and maintain a point person to monitor the effects of the delay, address passenger queries and provide passenger guidance and updates on the status of delayed or cancelled flights.

 

X.       Reportorial Compliance

For lengthy Tarmac Delays, i.e., when the aircraft remains on the ground for two (2) hours or more, PAL shall, not later than three (3) days after the occurrence of the lengthy Tarmac Delay, submit the requisite report to the CAB/CAAP.