• Passengers may choose to deplane during a tarmac delay and make alternative travel arrangements, as long as it is safe to do so and in line with our ticketing policies.
  
  

• Deplaning will begin only when:
  
  

• The aircraft is properly positioned for a safe exit.
  
  

• All operational procedures are completed, and
  
  

• The pilot-in-command gives approval.
  
  

• Customers who deplane may retain their boarding passes and re-board if permitted.
  
  

• In most cases, checked baggage will remain onboard and travel to the final destination. If the flight returns to the gate and is canceled, baggage will be available at the airport’s baggage claim.
  
  

• Depending on the delay, Ethiopian will provide adequate food, beverages, and potable water to affected passengers.
  
  

In accordance with Department of Transportation “Enhanced protection for airlines passenger regulations (14 CFR Part 259)” Ethiopian Airlines is committed to providing convenient and hassle free service on every flight it operates.

Ethiopian’s contingency plan for lengthy tarmac delays here after refereed as “Ethiopian’s Contingency Plan” or “Contingency Plan” describes what Ethiopian will implement during lengthy tarmac delay in accordance with U.S. Department of Transport (DOT) regulations. Ethiopian makes its plan available at the carrier’s website, www.ethiopianairlines.com.

Ethiopian’s goal is to make every flight a safe and pleasant experience for its customers. Ethiopian’s plan will be activated during times when customers on Ethiopian flights are experiencing irregular operations involving a lengthy tarmac delay. In most cases the cause of lengthy tarmac delays are outside of Ethiopian’s reasonable control (e.g. weather events, inefficiencies of the day’s air traffic control (ATC) systems, government operating restrictions, and airport construction projects). There are also times when anticipated flight delays may occur due to airline operations. Ethiopian adopts the following Contingency Plan, in order to be able to manage the situation in an orderly manner.

Contingency plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays

1. Ethiopian flights covered by this plan are those flights that depart from or arrive at a U.S. airport.  Ethiopian Airlines will not allow an aircraft to remain on the tarmac for more than four hours without deplaning passengers, except in two cases:
   
   

a. The Pilot-in-command determines there is a safety or security reason preventing the aircraft from leaving its position on the tarmac to deplane passengers.

b. Air traffic control advises that returning to the gate or another disembarkation point would significantly disrupt airport operations.

2. For all flights covered by this plan, Ethiopian will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure delay) or touches down ( in the case of arrival delay) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac.

3. For all flights covered by this plan, Ethiopian will provide operable lavatory facilities as well as adequate medical attention if needed while the aircraft remains on the tarmac.

4.Ethiopian will provide passengers with notifications of the status of delays to passengers every 30 minutes during a delay, including the reasons for delay if known.

5.Ethiopian will notify passengers that they may deplane from an aircraft at the gate or another disembarkation area if the opportunity to deplane actually exists.

6.Ethiopian Airlines ensures adequate resources to implement this contingency plan whenever necessary. We coordinate closely with:

a. Airport authorities

b. Terminal facility operators (where applicable)

c. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

d. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

e. Other parties serving Ethiopian Airlines, including diversion airports