Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays

Before delays occur, Grand Jet Airways has a comprehensive plan designed to forecast and adjust to operational challenges and minimize lengthy delays while passengers are on board the aircraft. The Operations Control Center (OCC) at Grand Jet Airways is responsible for the daily execution of this plan, while keeping in mind the safety and well-being of our customers.

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Enhanced Protections for Airline Passengers regulations (14 CFR Part 259), GRAND JET AIRWAYS adopted this Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays (“Plan”). In the unusual event that a delay covered by Part 259.4 occurs on a flight operated by GRAND JET AIRWAYS, the following applies:

1. GRAND JET AIRWAYS will make decisions using its basic-5 service standards: Safety, Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork.
2. Passengers shall have the option to deplane an aircraft when there is an excessive tarmac delay (three hours for domestic flights and four hours for international flights) with the following exceptions:
   1. For departing flights, when the flight begins to return to a suitable disembarkation point no later than three hours (for domestic flights) or four hours (for international flights) after the main aircraft door is closed in order to deplane passengers. If the aircraft is in an area that is not under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when a request is made to the Federal Aviation Administration control tower, airport authority, or other relevant authority directing the aircraft’s operations. If the aircraft is in an area under the carrier’s control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when the pilot begins maneuvering the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point; or
   2. The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety-related or security-related reason the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
   3. Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to a suitable disembarkation point to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
3. GRAND JET AIRWAYS will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the start of the tarmac delay, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
4. GRAND JET AIRWAYS will provide operable lavatory facilities, maintain comfortable cabin temperatures, and ensure adequate medical attention if needed, during the tarmac delay.
5. GRAND JET AIRWAYS will notify the passengers on board its aircraft during a tarmac delay regarding the status of the delay when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes.
6. GRAND JET AIRWAYS will notify passengers on board the aircraft that passengers have the opportunity to deplane each time the opportunity to deplane exists at a suitable disembarkation point for all departing flights and diversions.
7. GRAND JET AIRWAYS has sufficient resources to implement this Plan.
8. GRAND JET AIRWAYS has coordinated this Plan with airport authorities (including terminal facility operators where applicable) at each U.S. airport it serves, as well as regular U.S. diversion airports, and, if necessary, will work with airport authorities to share facilities in an emergency.
9. GRAND JET AIRWAYS has coordinated this Plan with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at each airport that GRAND JET AIRWAYS regularly uses for international flights, including diversion airports.
10. GRAND JET AIRWAYS has coordinated this Plan with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at each U.S. airport that GRAND JET AIRWAYS serves, including diversion airports.

Communication

Throughout the flight delay, communication between Grand Jet Airways Operations Control Center (OCC) and the flight crew will be continual. Both the OCC and flight crew will monitor the general environment and “mood” of the customers at all times. Grand Jet Airways will make decisions for the well-being of all customers aboard the affected flight.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. It’s our desire to make your flight as comfortable and expeditious as possible while maintaining the highest level of safety.

Updated: July 15, 2023