Kate Hanni Says Airports Should Have Plans For Diversions

FlyersRights.org, a coalition that grew out of passenger frustration during egregious tarmac stranding incidents five years ago, has surveyed large and medium airline hub airports in the US to find out how many are prepared to handle flights which are diverted. So far, it looks as though travelers, especially on international flights, remain at risk of long periods sitting on the tarmac if weather diverts many flights at once.

FlyersRights founder Kate Hanni (pictured) notes that in 2008, a Task Force representing the airlines, airports, the TSA, Customs and Border Patrol, and FlyersRights.org was created for "developing contingency plans for long on-ground delays." The TSA made a recommendation for the airports to deplane international passengers into a "sterile" room without having to go through normal customs procedures. Passengers would be escorted to and from the secured area by airline or airport employees and allowed to re-embark for the continuation of their trips.

Hanni says that based on preliminary figures from the survey, conducted under the Freedom of Information Act, at least half of all airports have not implemented any contingency plans for the management of passengers diverted to their facilities. She adds that many still say it not their responsibility to have a plan, but is solely the responsibility of the airlines. Hanni says airports need to be given discretion and responsibility to take on this issue.

"We are working with the Department of Transportation, the Transportation Security Administration, industry stakeholders and others to safely and efficiently close this loophole as soon as possible," she adds.

FlyersRights says the full results of the airline and airport readiness study will be released to the media by December 30.

FMI: www.flyersrights.org