Overview
Before delays occur, Alitalia has a comprehensive plan designed to forecast and adjust to operational challenges and minimize lengthy delays while passengers are on board an aircraft. The Operations Control Centre (OCC) at Alitalia's headquarters is responsible for the daily execution of this plan, while keeping in mind the safety and well-being of our customers.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) tarmac delay rule establishes hard time limits for tarmac delays. Alitalia's plan meets or exceeds all limits imposed by DOT’s rules.  Alitalia has developed a detailed plan applicable to U.S. airports that Alitalia regularly serves as well as its regular U.S. diversion airports, with established trigger points, to account for those times when unforeseen constraints result in tarmac delays.

Plan Requirements
Alitalia has committed sufficient resources to fulfill and implement this plan and will meet the requirements of the DOT for extended tarmac delays, including diversions. Alitalia will not keep passengers on board a tarmac delayed flight for more than four hours and will endeavor to provide passengers with an opportunity to deplane if such an opportunity exists unless the pilot-in-command determines that there is a safety or security reason for keeping passengers on board (e.g., dangerous weather conditions) or air traffic control advises that deplaning would significantly disrupt airport operations. Alitalia will provide services to passengers during a tarmac delay, as follows: adequate food and potable water for passengers no later than two hours after the aircraft leaves the gate (in the case of departure) or touches down (in the case of an arrival) if the aircraft remains on the tarmac, unless the pilot-in-command determines that safety or security considerations preclude such service; operable lavatory facilities; adequate medical attention; and other customer comfort needs.  Alitalia will provide flight status notifications to passengers on a delayed flight every 30 minutes during a delay, along with information concerning the cause of the delay.

This plan has been coordinated with appropriate airport and government authorities, as specified below.

Responsibility
Alitalia’s Operations Control Centre (OCC) is responsible for the management and quality of this plan. The decision-making responsibility for this plan lies within the OCC. Ground Operations, Flight Operations and In-Flight Service will carry out the plan at the station and flight level.

Station Plan
The plan builds upon the standard operating procedures to handle extended tarmac delays and diversions. All stations have identified resources and developed procedures that will (circumstances permitting) allow them to effectively return an aircraft from the runway and open the door, giving the passengers the opportunity to deplane within specified time limits.

Alitalia has coordinated this plan with local Airport Operations officials, appropriate local governmental agencies, the Transportation Security Administration, and Customs and Border Protection (for airports regularly served by Alitalia as well as Alitalia’s regular diversion airports) to meet DOT’s requirements.

Throughout the flight delay, communication between Alitalia's Operations Control Centre (OCC) and the flight crew will be continual. Alitalia will make decisions for the well-being of all customers aboard the affected flight.