Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL), in compliance with CAB Resolution No. 49 [BM-06-08-16-2016], 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 the holding of the aircraft on the ground, reckoned from the time the aircraft door is closed 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 Control, making deplaning impracticable.
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 for two (2) hours.
II. Tarmac Delay Limitations
In no case shall deplaning of passengers exceed three (3) hours for domestic flights and four (4) hours for international flights, upon closing of aircraft doors or upon landing with the doors closed.
The PIC may commence deplaning of passengers beyond the aforementioned period under any of the following circumstances:
- The PIC determines that there is safety-related or security-related reason(s) preventing the deplaning of passengers;
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) advises the PIC that returning to the gate for disembarkation or permitting the passengers to disembark at another disembarkation point will significantly disrupt airport operations; or
- The PIC receives a NOTAM advising that the flight can depart within 30 minutes after breaking the two-hour threshold.
PAL shall observe accurate documentation of the following:
- Existence of safety, security-related, or operational reasons militating against the deplaning of passengers; and
- Attempts made to deplane passengers to comply with threshold.
III. Adequate Food and Potable Water
For all flights, PAL assures that it will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two (2) 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, as well as medical attention if needed, while the aircraft is on the tarmac
V. 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.
VI. Adequate Resources
PAL assures that it has adequate resources to implement this contingency plan.
VII. 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.
VIII. 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 every 30 minutes thereafter) and accurate announcement of any advice from the airport authorities or information as to:
- the status of the flight or delay thereof;
- the reason for such delay and other relevant information such as, but not limited to: weather conditions, navigational instruments, and/or possibility of deplaning;
- 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.
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.