U.S. Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan

Xiamen Airlines Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan(the “Plan”) applies only to flights departing from or arriving at U.S. airports. We have established this Plan to comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation “Enhanced Protection for Airline Passenger” regulations (14 CFR Part 259).

1.For international flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport, we will not permit our aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S. airport for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane, unless:
(i)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 why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
(ii)Air traffic control advises the pilot-in-command that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations; or

 (iii) In the case of a departing flight only, the aircraft begins to return to a suitable disembarkation point within four hours.   If the aircraft is in an area that is not under our 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 our control, the aircraft has begun to return to a suitable disembarkation point when the pilot begins maneuvering the aircraft to a suitable disembarkation point.      

2.For all flights covered by the Plan, we will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after  the start of the tarmac delay unless safety or security conditions prevent such service.

3.For all flights covered by the Plan, we will provide operable lavatory facilities, maintain comfortable cabin temperatures, as well as ensure adequate medical attention if needed, while our aircraft remains on the tarmac.

4.For all flights covered by the Plan, we will notify our passengers of the delay when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes regarding the status of the tarmac delay, including the reason for the delay, if known. And we may notify passengers regarding changes in the status of the delay as changes occur according to our consideration.

5.For all departing flights and diversion flights covered by the Plan, each time the opportunity to deplane exists at a suitable disembarkation point, we will notify passengers on board the aircraft that they have the opportunity to deplane.

6.We will ensure we have sufficient resources to implement the Plan.

7.We have coordinated the Plan with all applicable airport authorities, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, at all U.S. airports that we serve, including all diversion airports.  If necessary and to the extent practicable, we will work with airport authorities and other airlines to share facilities and make gates available in an emergency.  

8.When the marketing carrier and the operating carrier are different airlines that have different contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays, unless otherwise specified, the plan of the operating carrier shall apply.