Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan

If the aircraft is delayed on the tarmac with no opportunity for passengers to deplane, the following contingency plan to ensure we meet our customers’ essential needs will apply.

1. For flights arriving at a U.S. airport (including diverted flights), Allegiant will not permit its aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three (3) hours in the case of domestic flights or four (4) hours in the case of international flights without allowing passengers the opportunity to deplane, unless:

a. The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a gate or other suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety-related or security-related reason (e.g. weather, a directive from an appropriate government agency) why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or

b. Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that proceeding to the gate or another suitable disembarkation point in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

2. For flights departing from a U.S. airport, Allegiant will begin to return its aircraft to the gate or another suitable disembarkation point no more than three (3) hours in the case of domestic flights or four (4) hours in the case of international flights after the main aircraft door has closed for the purpose of allowing passengers the opportunity to deplane, unless:

a. The pilot-in-command determines that deplaning passengers at a gate or other suitable disembarkation point would jeopardize passenger safety or security, or there is a safety-related or security-related reason (e.g. weather, a directive from an appropriate government agency) why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or

b. Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another suitable disembarkation point in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.

3. For all flights, Allegiant will provide adequate food (e.g. snack foods such as pretzels or granola bars) and water or other non-alcoholic beverages no later than two (2) hours after the main aircraft door is closed in the case of a departing flight, or after the aircraft touches down in the case of an arriving or diverted flight, if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.

4. For all flights, Allegiant will provide comfortable cabin temperatures and operable restroom facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.

5. For all flights, Allegiant will provide passengers notification regarding the status of the tarmac delay when the delay exceeds 30 minutes, including the reasons for the delay if known.  Allegiant will provide subsequent updates as information becomes available. 

6. For all flights, Allegiant will provide passengers on the delayed flight timely notification that they have the opportunity to deplane from the aircraft when it reaches a gate or other suitable disembarkation point, provided the opportunity to deplane actually exists.

7. At all U.S. airports with 10,000 or more total annual enplanements (including diversion airports), Allegiant has coordinated this plan with (a) airport authorities, (b) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and (c) if the airport is regularly used for international flights operated by Allegiant, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This coordination includes the ability to share facilities and make gates available at the airport in an emergency.

8. Allegiant will provide sufficient resources to implement this plan.