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TARMAC DELAY PLAN

As required by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Omni Air International will implement an Emergency Contingency Plan at each airport at which Omni provides covered air transportation and has flights for which Omni has primary responsibility for inventory control.

When operating on behalf of a marketing carrier subject to the requirements of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, the Senior Director, SOCC, in consultation with the Director of Operations, will review the marketing carrier's Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan. The Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan of the carrier under whose code the service is marketed governs, if different from Omni's, unless the marketing carrier specifies in its contract of carriage that Omni's plan governs. The Vice President System and Control and Planning shall review the marketing carrier's plan applicable to the stations / routes to be served by Omni and will verify that the marketing carrier has conducted an annual self-audit, if applicable. The Vice President System Control shall publish or cause to be published on Omni's website the contingency plan as required by law. The contingency plan may be published through a verified hyperlink to the marketing carrier's website that contains the required contingency plan. The Director of Operations shall publish guidance to flight crews on the relevant sections of the marketing carrier's plan.

The Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan for each applicable airport will include how Omni will comply with the following requirements.

Content

A. Provide for adequate food, potable water, restroom facilities, comfortable cabin temperatures, and access to medical treatment for passengers onboard an aircraft at the airport when the departure of a flight is delayed or disembarkation of passengers is delayed.
Share facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency.

B. Allow passengers to deplane following an excessive tarmac delay.

Deplaning following an excessive tarmac delay

A. A passenger shall have the option to deplane an aircraft and return to the airport terminal when there is an excessive tarmac delay.

B. The option listed in "A" shall be offered to a passenger even if a flight in covered air transportation is diverted to a commercial airport other than the originally scheduled airport.

C. Notwithstanding the requirements described in subparagraphs A. and B., a passenger shall not have an option to deplane an aircraft and return to the airport terminal in the case of an excessive tarmac delay if:

  • An air traffic controller with the authority over the aircraft advises the pilot in command that permitting a passenger to deplane would significantly disrupt airport operations, or
  • The pilot in command determines that permitting a passenger to deplane would jeopardize passenger safety or security.

Airport Plans

A. Provide the deplanement of passengers following excessive tarmac delays

B. Provide the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency

C. Provide a sterile area following excessive tarmac delays for passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection.

Updates

A. Omni shall validate the Emergency Contingency Plan including contact information on an annual basis.

B. Omni shall update the Emergency Contingency Plan every three (3) years and re-submit to the Department of Transportation for approval.

Access

A. Omni will ensure public access to its Emergency Contingency Plan by publishing the approved plan on the OAI Website.

Reporting

A. No later than 30 days after any flight experiences an excessive tarmac delay at a U.S. airport (lasting more than three hours for a domestic flight and more than four hours for an international flight), Omni shall submit a written narrative of the incident and its resolution to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation if a report is required by Part 259 of the DOT regulations, 14 CFR Part 259. Omni shall also submit a report to the DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of Airline Information, if a report is required by Part 244, 14 CFR Part 244.

When executing the Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan three actions are critical: communication, coordination and collaboration.

OAI System Control will notify the OAI Ground Handler of a potential diversion or excessive tarmac delay.

  • The OAI Ground Handler will notify Airport Operations followed by any necessary department (TSA, CBP, FAA, a/c parking, ground transportation, concessions, etc).
  • Should the OAI Ground Handler be unable to contact necessary departments or request assistance, OAI System Control shall make notifications and coordinate as necessary.
  • OAI Systems Control and/or the OAI Ground Handler will provide updates to Airport Operations at period intervals.
  • The Flight Crew will follow the Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan Timeline located at the end of this document for details regarding who to contact and when.

NOTE: Notification lists and details of handling agents, vendors and airport departments are kept in the Omni System Control Center.

  1. Omni will collect reports from flight crew members, the OAI Ground Handler and vendors involved.
  2. Hold an after-event action meeting to discuss performance effectiveness.
    • A. Communications issues
    • B. Procedures refinement
    • C. Service failures and lapses
    • D. After-hour staffing resources
    • E. Operations and maintenance restocking (lavatory and potable water servicing, de-ice fluid, concessions)
    • F. Capability needs
  3. Identify lessons learned
    • A. What worked and what didn’t work
  4. Review reports from service providers and government agencies
  5. Submit reports as required by the Department of Transportation
  6. Amend policy as necessary

The information contained in this Emergency Contingency Plan, including all contact information, will be validated no less than one (1) time per calendar year. At the direction of management, a member of the Ground Operations Department will review and validate the content of this plan against the current regulation and company policy. As part of the validation, a member of the In-flight Department shall also review the content.

This plan may be revised only after the following:

  1. A member of management from Flight Operations, In-flight, Ground Operations, Maintenance, Dispatch, Safety & Security, and System Control have reviewed and agreed on the revision.
  2. The plan has been submitted by and approved by the DoT.

Tarmac:The Aircraft Movement Area and Aircraft Operations Area, or section or area of the airport where an aircraft may takeoff, land, taxi, hold, park or stage, including exclusive use, exclusive lease or owned areas of the airport.

Tarmac Delay:The term “tarmac delay” means the period during which passengers are on board an aircraft on the tarmac

  • Awaiting takeoff after the aircraft doors have been closed or after passengers have been boarded if the passengers have not been advised they are free to deplane, or
  • Awaiting deplaning after the aircraft has landed.

Excessive Tarmac Delay:The term “excessive tarmac delay” means a tarmac delay that lasts for a length of time, as determined by the Secretary.

3-Hour Rule:14 CFR Part 259 prohibits domestic air carriers and domestic flights from remaining on the tarmac for more than 3 hours without allowing passengers to deplane subject to safety, security and ATC exceptions. It also required domestic airlines to adopt contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays for scheduled and public charter flights at large and medium hub airports.

4-Hour Rule:14 CFR Part 259 prohibits foreign air carriers and international flights from remaining on the tarmac for more than 4 hours without allowing passengers to deplane subject to safety, security and ATC exceptions. It also required international airlines to adopt contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays and expanded the airports at which all airlines must adhere to the contingency plan terms to include small hub and non-hub airports, including diversion airports.

When does the clock start?

The 3-hour limit begins when passengers no longer have the option to get off of the aircraft, which usually occurs when the doors of the aircraft are closed. However, if an aircraft is at the gate with the doors open, and passengers are not allowed off the aircraft, the time limit would start at the point when passengers were no longer permitted to deplane.

During an excessive tarmac delay (whether on departure, arrival or diversion), the aircraft must return to a gate and the boarding door must be opened prior to the delay reaching 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights. The purser must make an announcement informing all passengers that the boarding door is open and passengers may deplane if they would like. If the aircraft is in queue for takeoff, or if the flight crew determines that safety would be compromised, the aircraft may not return to a gate. At the 2 hour 15 minute mark on domestic flights and 3 hour 15 minute mark on international flights, Omni System Control will begin evaluating and facilitating a gate for a possible aircraft return. The aircraft will return to the gate long enough for any passenger(s) who wish to deplane to do so. All passengers who elect to deplane must take all carry-on baggage. Once the aircraft blocks out of the gate again, the entire tarmac contingency plan timer resets.

Omni ensures allocation of sufficient resources to implement its Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan for all flights regulated under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.

How will Omni keep passengers updated regarding a delay?

In the terminal, the OAI contracted ground handler will provide passengers in the gate area with a status update including the reason for the continued delay, if known, at a frequency of every 30 minutes.

On the aircraft, a member of the Flight Deck will provide passengers with a status update including the reason for the continued delay, if known, at a frequency of at least every 30 minutes. If the Flight Deck does not make this announcement, it is the purser’s responsibility to relay this information to the passengers.

How will Omni provide for adequate food?

Omni will provide a Tarmac Delay Snack on applicable flights to be used within the first two hours in the event of an excessive tarmac delay. The Tarmac Delay Snack will consist of shelf stable items or an equivalent. When faced with an excessive tarmac delay on a departing flight scheduled for more than 2 hours, Omni may opt to utilize planned provisions for the flight. When faced with an excessive tarmac delay on an arriving flight, Omni will utilize the Tarmac Delay Snack along with residual provisions. Omni will provide on board catering based on our customer’s requirement.

The tarmac delay snacks will be loaded and identified in a galley cart on applicable flights. The Flight Attendant responsible for the galley shall ensure that the tarmac delay galley cart is present. During the galley security checks, the expiration date on the tarmac delay snacks should be checked, then both sides of the cart will be resealed using the security seals found inside the cart. The tarmac delay galley cart is to remain sealed unless needed during a tarmac delay. When operating on behalf of another carrier subject to these requirements, the carrier shall provide Omni with tarmac delay provisions for use in accordance with the carrier’s Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan unless otherwise specified in the contract.

How will Omni provide potable water?

As a standard practice Omni shall make a reasonable effort to carry full tank capacity of potable water on departing flights. However, aircraft may depart with at a minimum of 80% potable water capacity if necessary. If the potable water system is deferred, Omni will provision the aircraft with an adequate supply of bottled water. For arriving flights, a contracted service provider will service the aircraft when at less than 12% capacity. Total tank capacity for the Omni fleet is as follows:

  • 767 149 USG
  • 777 218 USG

How will Omni ensure clean and operable restroom facilities?

It is Omni’s policy that all lavatories are serviced and provisioned with appropriate supplies prior to any live departure. No more than 50% of lavatories should be deferred or out of service for a departing flight with passengers on board. If more than 50% of lavatories are deferred the Omni PIC should consider contacting flight operations to aid in determining the minimum acceptable number and/or location of operable lavatories as stated in the MEL or consider the more favorable option. For arriving flights, a contracted service provider will service the lavatories if indication is 90% of capacity. All aircraft operated by Omni are fitted with a least 4 lavatories.

How will Omni ensure comfortable cabin temperatures?

By use of the aircraft’s available Environmental Control System (minimum required by MEL) operated by use of either the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or engine pneumatic supply. A minimum of one (1) ECS should be operable for departure. If the ECS or its supporting systems fail or if the cabin temperature is expected to reach less than 65° or greater than 80° Omni will make a reasonable effort to secure the appropriate ground support equipment or return to the gate within 30 minutes. All temperature parameters in accordance with the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 161-2018 Section 5.2.

How will Omni ensure access to medical treatment for passengers onboard an aircraft when the departure of a flight is delayed or disembarkation of passengers is delay?

All Omni aircraft are supported by MedAire for telemedical advice. All Omni aircraft are provisioned with two (2) Enhanced Emergency Medical Kits (EEMK), a Passenger Service Kit (PSK) and a minimum of two (2) First Aid Kits (FAK).

How will Omni ensure shared facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency?

Omni does not exclusively lease or control airport terminal facilities at any airport. Omni will coordinate with Airport Operations at applicable airports. If in agreement with Airport Operations, during irregular operations, Omni will make a good faith effort to adhere to the following procedures.

For departing flights, Omni would occupy a gate for a maximum of 90mins prior to STD/ETD. Dependent on operations, Omni would consider embarking passengers and completing the loading of baggage/cargo at a hardstand if estimated time of completion is less than 30 minutes. For arriving flights Omni would occupy a gate for a maximum of 45 minutes upon arrival and complete off load of baggage/cargo from a hardstand

Flight Attendants should be visible in the cabin and should conduct frequent walk-through checks of the cabin. This is done to assess passenger condition, answer any questions and monitor the cabin temperature. Flight Attendants should also monitor the condition of the lavatories.

Should the need arise for the passengers deplane, the following procedures will be followed:

Transportation from airplane to/from terminal will be arranged by Airport Operations in coordination with the OAI contracted ground handler and conducted via airport bus and/or shuttle.

The sharing of facilities and use of gates will be arranged by Airport Operations in coordination with the OAI contracted ground handler.

Sterile area for passengers that have not been cleared by US CBP will be arranged by Airport Operations in coordination with the OAI contracted ground handler.

Special services including services for special needs passengers and ground transportation will be arranged by Airport Operations in coordination with the OAI contracted ground handler. Such items may include but are not limited to the following:

Handicap accessible jet bridges, air stairs, lift devices, bus transportation and care within the terminal, such as wheelchair assistance.

Restrooms and Concessions are available for public use inside the terminal. If, concessions are closed, arrangements will be made with a local catering company to provide food service.

Lodging for extended stays and transportation to/from hotel/s will be arranged by OAI Systems Control in coordination with the OAI contracted ground handler. Hotel shuttles may be utilized when available.

Time :30

  • Notification: System Control to Flight Deck
  • Responsibility: Flight Deck / LFA
  • Announcement to Pax: Reason for the Delay, Allow Use of Lavatories
  • Notification: Flight Deck to LFA
  • Responsibility: Flight Attendants
  • Begin Cabin Walk-Throughs: Temperature, Medical, Lavatories

Time 1:00

  • Notification: System Control to Flight Deck
  • Responsibility: Flight Deck / LFA
  • Announcement to Pax: Update on Status of Delay

Time 1:30

  • Notification: System Control to Flight Deck
  • Responsibility: Flight Deck / LFA
  • Announcement to Pax: Update on Status of Delay
  • Notification: Flight Deck to LFA
  • Responsibility: Flight Attendants
  • Pax Service: Provisions or Tarmac Delay Snack

Time 2:00

  • Service must be completed within 30 minutes in order to be in compliance with the 2-hour requirement.
  • If there are no tarmac delay snacks or other provisions on board, the aircraft must return to a gate and have the boarding door ope by the 2-hour mark.
  • Notification: System Control to Flight Deck
  • Responsibility: Flight Deck / LFA
  • Announcement to Pax: Update on Status of Delay

Time 2:15 (Domestic - 3:15 for International)

  • System Control
  • Begin Evaluation/Preparations:Possible Aircraft Return to Gate

Time 2:30

  • Notification: System Control to Flight Deck
  • Responsibility: Flight Deck / LFA
  • Announcement to Pax: Update on Status of Delay

Time 3:00 (Domestic - 4:00 for International)

  • The aircraft must return to a gate and the boarding door must be opened prior to the delay reaching 3 hours for domestic flights and 4 hours for international flights.
  • The purser must make a PA announcement informing all passengers that the boarding door is open and passengers may deplane if they wish.
  • Once the aircraft blocks out of the gate again, the entire Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan timer resets.