Lengthy Tarmac Delay Policy

Key Lime Air d/b/a Denver Air Connection has adopted this Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays applicable for all of our scheduled and public charter flights at each U.S. large hub airport, medium hub airport, small hub airport, and non-hub airport at which Denver Air Connection operates or markets such service. This plan meets or exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements in accordance with 14 C.F.R. § 259.4 and 49 U.S.C. § 42301.

  1. For U.S. domestic flights, Denver Air Connection will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours before allowing to deplane unless the pilot-in-command (PIC) determines 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 air traffic control (ATC) advises the PIC that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere would significantly disrupt airport operations.
  2. For international flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S airport, Denver Air Connection will not permit an aircraft to remain on the tarmac at a U.S airport for more than four hours before allowing passengers to deplane unless the PIC determines there is a safety-related or security-related reason why the aircraft cannot leave its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers; or ATC advises the PIC that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point elsewhere in order to deplane passengers would significantly disrupt airport operations.
  3. For all flights covered by this plan, Denver Air Connection will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in case of a departure) or touches down (in case of an arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the PIC determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service.
  4. For all flights covered by this plan, Denver Air Connection will provide operable lavatory facilities, as well as adequate medical attention if needed, while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.
  5. For all flights covered by this plan, Denver Air Connection will ensure passengers on the delayed flight receive notifications regarding the status of the delay every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including reasons for the tarmac delay, if known.
  6. For all flights covered by this plan, Denver Air Connection will ensure passengers on the delayed flight will be notified beginning 30 minutes after scheduled departure time (including any revised departure time that passengers were notified about before boarding) and every 30 minutes thereafter that they have the opportunity to deplane from the aircraft that is at the gate or another disembarkation area with the door open if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.
  7. For all flights covered by this plan, Denver Air Connection will ensure the delayed aircraft maintains a comfortable cabin temperature. In the event the PIC determines the cabin temperature is uncomfortable for passengers, the PIC will return the aircraft to the gate or suitable parking location as soon as possible or make other arrangements to ensure cabin temperatures are comfortable on the tarmac.
  8. Denver Air Connection has sufficient resources to implement this plan.
  9. Denver Air Connection has coordinated this plan with airport authorities (including terminal facility operators where applicable) at each U.S. large hub airport, medium hub airport, small hub airport, and non-hub airport that Denver Air Connection serves, as well as our regular U.S. diversion airports.
  10. Denver Air Connection has coordinated this plan with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at each airport we regularly use for international flights, including diversion airports, and with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at each U.S airport that we serve, including regular U.S. diversion airports.

In an emergency, Denver Air Connection will make its best efforts to assist other carriers, including sharing facilities and making gates available.

These efforts include:

  • Providing assistance to other carriers during tarmac delay situations, as requested by the other carrier or by local airport authorities;
  • Ensuring other carriers and local airport authorities have proper contact information to request assistance for gates, remote parking, ground equipment and personnel; and
  • Making every effort to accommodate requests for gates and parking, including, when possible, moving Denver Air Connection aircraft off of a gate to make it available for other carrier aircraft.
  • This Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays is separate from and not a part of Denver Air Connection’s Contract of Carriage.