Stuck in a plane on the tarmac for hours? New CAB rule sets limit

MANILA, Philippines – Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announced a new rule that will prohibit all airlines on domestic and international routes from remaining on a tarmac for more than 4 hours with passengers aboard.

Tugade told reporters on the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) general membership meeting in Makati City on Tuesday, August 30, that he has ordered the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to ready a resolution strengthening airline passenger rights, which is targeted to be published on Wednesday, August 31.

CAB Resolution 49 requires foreign and domestic airlines to immediately start deplaning passengers once tarmac delay hits two hours.

According to the resolution, tarmac delay count starts from the time the aircraft door closes, whether before takeoff or after landing.

Once the resolution becomes effective, Tugade said domestic flights should be deplaned by the 3rd hour, while international flights should be deplaned by the 4th hour.

This new CAB resolution was crafted in response to a number of reported incidents where passengers were stranded on the ground aboard aircraft for lengthy periods, and to the increasing incidence of flight delays. (READ: Emergency closure of NAIA runway brings cancelled flights)

“On the average, before you can fly out you will be delayed 45 minutes, that’s just flying out. How about flying in? Two hours. That is the reality. We have to address this reality as they exist,” Tugade said.

Exceptions to the rule would be allowed only for “safety and security reasons” or if air traffic controllers advise the pilot-in-command that returning to the terminal would “significantly disrupt airport operations,” the Department of Transportation said.

Other passenger protections

A copy of the draft CAB resolution stated other passenger protections relating to tarmac delays:

• Airlines should provide adequate food and potable water no later two hours after delay;
• Airlines’ lavatory facilities should be operable and medical attention should be given when needed while aircraft is on tarmac;
• The pilot-in-command should give status update announcements to passengers every 30 minutes starting from the first half hour of the delay;
• After deplaning, airlines should provide accommodation, when necessary, food and communication services, and give timely and accurate updates to passengers regarding the status of their flights. 

The new CAB resolution takes effect 15 days after publication in select newspapers. – Rappler.com