China Southern Airlines s has established a Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays (the "Plan") that meets standards set for such plans by the US Department of Transportation under 14 C.F.R. Part 259 for flights departing and arriving to the United States of America.
Before delays occur, China Southern Airlines s has a comprehensive plan designed to adjust to operational challenges and minimize lengthy delays while passenger are on board the aircraft. The System Operations Control Center (SOC) of China Southern Airlines s is responsible for the execution of this plan, while keeping in mind the safety and well being of our passengers.
The Department of Transportation's (DOT) tarmac delay rule establishes hard time limits for tarmac delays. China Southern Airlines ’s plan meets the limits imposed by this ruling. China Southern Airlines assures its passengers that it will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane. The following exceptions to the hard time limits apply to international flights:
■Safety or security reasons.
■Air Traffic Control (ATC) advises the pilot in command that returning to the terminal would disrupt airport operations.
China Southern Airlines ’s contingency plan ensures that China Southern Airlines has sufficient resources and will meet the requirements of the DOT for extended tarmac delays, including diversions. Our plan considers delays that exceed four hours waiting onboard our aircrafts departing or arriving airport of the United States of America. The plan ensures that China Southern Airlines will meet specified guidelines pertaining to providing:
■Adequate food and drinking water no later than two 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.
■Operable lavatory facilities.
■Medical attention.
■Other passenger comfort needs.
Unless the pilot in command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service. This plan has been coordinated with airport authorities, as specified below.
The China Southern Airlines SOC is responsible for the management and quality of the plan. The decision making for this plan lies within the SOC. Station office in United State of America of China Southern Airlines , Fleets and Cabin Service will carry out the plan at the station and flight level.
The plan builds upon the standard operation procedures now in place to handle extended on-board delays and diversions. All stations have identified resource and developed procedures that will allow them to effectively bring plane off the runway and open the door, giving the passengers the opportunity to deplane within specified time limits.
All stations have coordinated plans with local governmental agencies and Airport Operations to meet the tarmac delay rule’s requirements.
In-flight announcement will be made every 30 minutes, while the aircraft is delayed. The announcement will at least:
■The status of the delay, including reasons for the delay, if known;
■Explain the possible effect of the DOT’s tarmac delay rule;
■Notify passengers if an opportunity to deplane actually exists at a gate or another disembarkation area with the aircraft door open.
Throughout the flight delay, communication between China Southern Airlines ’s SOC, local China Southern Airport Services Team and flight crew will monitor the general environment and well being of the passengers at all time. China Southern Airlines will make best decisions considering the well being of all passengers aboard the affected flight.