Purpose:

The BGM Apron Delay Program outlines the Aviation Departments’ responsibilities to proactively respond to the passenger needs during a long onboard aircraft event. The following considerations will be reviewed to provide guidance on how to prepare for extended delays and the recovery.

Notification Process:

• It will be the responsibility of the airline to advise the Department of any information that may cause conditions that could lead to long onboard delays.  Airline Management will be responsible to notify their respective Airline Dispatch Office when they know of pending conditions that may lead to long onboard delay for their station.
• The Aviation Department will also monitor for an event that may promote a long onboard delay situation. Aviation Department personnel will accomplish the following:
• Communicate that the conditions are possible for long onboard delays to the airlines
• Organize equipment needed for a possible aircraft evacuation or for passenger transportation. ( IE air stairs, busses, boarding bridges, etc)

Continuous coordination between all parties is necessary to minimize long onboard delay.

 

The following items will be considered:

• A/C out of gate but not off ground (out not off)
• A/C on the ground but not in the gate (on not in)
• Diversions from other airfields

The following actions will be accomplished for all situations above:
Operations Division will coordinate with Airline Ramp personnel to prepare designated gate for arrival of aircraft. Airline Ramp personnel will ensure ground equipment is obtained (chocks, safety cones, belt loaders, etc.)

If gate is not available, Operations Personnel will coordinate remote parking location with Airline based on the following priority.

 

1. Remote parking at either Gate 1 or  Gate 7
2. North Apron
3. West Apron

If passengers are able to deplane and walk to terminal, Operations Personnel will assist with escort and security

If passengers are not able to walk to terminal, busses will be utilized to transport passengers to terminal.  Operations Personnel will utilize buses to be sent to remote parking location.

If busses are used to move pax then the TSA will have to search the bus and driver before pax can enter the bus and the sterile area of the terminal. If the pax are let into the terminal from the public side then the TSA will not have to search the bus.

 

For Passengers that have not yet cleared U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

 

Contact:

Deb Foley  (607) 343 3204 (first)

If needed these resources may also be utilized:

 

U.S. Customs - Syracuse  (315) 455-2271 ,(315) 455-8446

U.S. Customs/Sector Comm (MCO)   (800) 973-2867 (B)   (407) 646-1740

Immigration (800) 375-5283 (518) 869-7082

U.S. Customs - BGM

Foley, Deb

(B)   (607) 763-4294

(H)   (607) 642-3573

(C)    (607) 343 3204

 

 

SOP for Processing International Flight diverted to BGM (Greater Binghamton Airport)

 

In the event an International flight is diverted to BGM, the airline being diverted will comply with the following procedures.

 

• CBP shall be notified in advance in writing whenever possible, telephonically when written notice is not possible. A copy of the General Declaration will be provided to CBP.
• A written manifest of passengers and crew will be provided.
• All passengers will remain on the aircraft.
• No new passengers or cargo shall be added.
• CBP may require the inspection of all passengers, crew and baggage.
• The aircraft will wait in a designated area for authorization to continue the trip. The area will be designated by Broome County Department of Aviation (607-763-4471).

 

On the occasions a diverted international flight has circumstances of severe hardship or danger to the passengers or crew, they may request permission to deplane.

This request shall be submitted in writing to CBP at 607-763-4294 during business hours of 8:30-5 from Monday thru Friday. The request should include the departure airport, intended final destination, number of crew and passengers. A contact number and name should be provided. The written request needs to be followed by a telephone call. During business hours the call can be made to 607-763-4294 and outside these hours to 315-523-2858; Port Director, Syracuse, NY.

CBP will grant or deny the request on a case by case basis.

If a request to deplane is granted the passengers will be contained in a segregated area of the departure lounge. They will be allowed to leave the aircraft after CBP and Security is on site and ready to receive an influx of passengers.

In the event a flight is not able to continue to the intended destination, CBP and TSA will arrange for processing of the passengers and crew. Any overtime charges (by CBP) which are created by this will be charged to the Airline responsible for the work.