This Plan is separate from and is not a part of Royal Jordanian's Contract of Carriage.
Royal Jordanian's Plan meets or exceeds all of the United States Department of Transportation's rules regarding lengthy tarmac delays and provides detailed information about Royal Jordanian's policies and procedures for handling lengthy tarmac delays.
Limitations in the Event of a Lengthy Tarmac Delay
Lengthy tarmac delays can take place both during taxi-out prior to departure, and during taxi-in after landing. During both of these phases of travel, the following limits apply:
For domestic flights: Royal Jordanian will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three (3) hours without allowing passengers to deplane.
For international flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport: Royal Jordanian will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four (4) hours without allowing passengers to deplane.
Exceptions: Tarmac delays may be longer than the above-specified time limitations if:
- The pilot-in-command determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or
- 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.
Available Passenger Services During a Lengthy Tarmac Delay
For all flights experiencing a lengthy tarmac delay, Royal Jordanian will:
- Provide passengers with adequate food and potable water no later than two (2) hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure) or touches down (in the case of arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service;
- Ensure that operable lavatory facilities are available while the aircraft remains on the tarmac;
- Notify passengers every 30 minutes of the status and reason for the tarmac delay, if known;
- Notify its passengers 30 minutes after scheduled departure of a delayed flight and every 30 minutes thereafter that passengers have the opportunity to deplane, if the opportunity to deplane exists; and
- Provide access to medical treatment.
The pilot-in-command will frequently communicate with Royal Jordanian's Operations Control Center, Station Operations and/or the Ramp Control Tower for updated information in an effort to keep passengers informed.
Resources
Royal Jordanian has taken steps to ensure sufficient resources are available to implement this contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays, when necessary.
Coordination
To better serve passengers, Royal Jordanian has coordinated this Plan with local airport authorities for all medium and large airports, airport authorities (including terminal facility operators where applicable), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at each large US hub airport, medium hub airport, small hub airport, and non-hub airport that is regularly used for international flights, including diversion airports.