TAMARC Contingency Plan

In accordance with the provisions of 14 CFR Parts 244 and 259, U.S. Department of Transportation, Iberia has created a contingency plan to minimize inconvenience to passengers during extended tarmac delays. This plan applies to (a) flights operated by Iberia at U.S. airports and (b) flights operated by Iberia as a LEVEL at U.S. airports. It has been coordinated with all airport authorities at every airport Iberia serves or to which it is diverted when circumstances beyond its control arise. Iberia has also coordinated this contingency plan with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

In the unlikely event of a prolonged delay on board the aircraft before takeoff or upon landing, our Operations Control Center will coordinate with the aircraft pilot, the airport operations team, and airport authorities to implement our Plan.
Delays on board the aircraft are situations that Iberia strives to avoid. Occasionally, gate limitations, visibility, airport conditions, technical problems, air traffic control requirements, or other circumstances beyond our control cause unavoidable delays on the ground. In these cases, Iberia will ensure that:

- The aircraft does not remain on the apron for more than four (4) hours before allowing passengers to disembark, unless:
The pilot in command determines that there are safety or operational reasons that prevent the aircraft from leaving its position on the runway to allow passengers to disembark; or;
Air Traffic Control (ATC) advises that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point could seriously affect airport operations.
For delays approaching two (2) hours, if the pilot in command deems it safe, Iberia will provide passengers with appropriate food and water.
For all flights, Iberia will ensure that lavatories are available while the aircraft is on the tarmac. Iberia also guarantees that appropriate medical attention will be available. In the event of a serious medical emergency, the Iberia flight will return to the gate as soon as possible.
Iberia will provide updates on the delay status every 30 minutes while the aircraft is delayed, including the reasons for the delay if known. Iberia will offer passengers the opportunity to disembark if the aircraft is at the gate or in another disembarkation area with the door open, and will notify them every 30 minutes as long as disembarkation is possible.
Iberia has taken the necessary steps to ensure it has sufficient resources to implement the contingency plan for extended runway delays when needed.