Qantas Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan

Qantas is committed to providing a consistent customer experience and to minimising any inconvenience to our passengers in the event of a delay.

Despite our efforts, sometimes delays are outside our control, for example, when there is bad weather, unusual air traffic control circumstances, government operating restrictions or airport construction work.

1. For Qantas operated international flights to or from the People's Republic of China (excluding any Special Adminstrative Regions) that are delayed at a Chinese airport, Qantas will follow this Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan in accordance with the CAAC Flight Regulatory Administrative Regulations (Ministry of Transport 2016 #56).
   (a) If, a tarmac delay reaches or exceeds 3 hours and there is no definite take-off time, Qantas will arrange for disembarkation of all passenger, subject to any safety and security regulations.
   (b) We will provide adequate food and potable water no later than two hours after the aircraft door is shut before departure or touches down on arrival at the airport.
   (c) We will provide operable lavatory facilities, unless it is unsafe for the lavatories to be used.
   (d) We will provide passengers on the delayed flight with notifications regarding the status of and reasons for the delay, including the estimated delay period and any other information, if known, every 30 minutes.
2. We will ensure this Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan has been coordinated with the relevant airport authorities, as well as customs, immigration and security.
3. Unless we advise passengers otherwise, in the case of Qantas marketed codeshare services (ie flights with a "QF" flight number that are operated by another carrier), the operating carrier's tarmac delay contingency plan applies to any tarmac delay at a Chinese airport.