Tarmac delay response plan

Effective 1 January 2017, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will implement "Flight Regularity Administrative Regulations" for carriers departing from or having a stopover within Chinese territories (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan). This requests airlines to have a response plan on tarmac delay for arrival and departure aircraft.

Definitions

“Tarmac delay” is when, either after closing the cabin door before departure or before opening the cabin door after arrival, passengers are waiting on-board for longer than aircraft taxiing time limits as regulated by the airport. 

There are 3 categories of Tarmac Delay: 

  • Delay between 15 minutes and 1 hour 59 minutes
  • Delay between 2 hours and hours 59 minutes
  • Delay for 3 hours or longer

Procedures for Tarmac Delay

Delay between 15 minutes and 1 hour 59 minutes:

  • Cabin crew makes announcement for every 30 minutes with the reason of delay, estimated delay period (if known) and other dynamic flight information if it becomes available. 
  • Under the premise of safety and with the agreement of captain, the availability of lavatory facilities.

Delay between 2 hours and 2 hours 59 minutes:

  • Cabin crew makes announcement with every 30 minutes for the reason of delay, estimated delay period (if known) and other dynamic flight information if it becomes available. 
  • Under the premise of safety and with the agreement of captain, the availability of lavatory facilities.
  • Adequate food and portable water shall be provided if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless, subject to captain decision, safety or security conditions preclude this.

Delay for 3 hours or longer:

  • If Tarmac Delay is 3 hours or more and there is no definite take-off time, airline shall arrange for disembarkation unless: 
  • Subject to captain decision, there is a safety-related or security related reason that aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or 
  • ATC advises the captain that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

Reporting

In the event of a large area delay or tarmac Delay of 30 minutes or longer, airline shall report the details to CAAC Regional Administration and keep a record of the handling for at least 2 years.