The Chattanooga Airport (CHA) has prepared this Emergency Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Questions regarding this plan can be directed to April Cameron, President & CEO at acameron@chattairport.com. CHA is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because it is a commercial airport which may be used by an air carrier described in USC 42301(a)(1) for diversions.
This plan describes how, following excessive tarmac delays and to the extent practicable, CHA will:
· Provide for the deplanement of passengers;
· Provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport; and
· Provide a sterile area following excessive tarmac delays for passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP).
CHA has facility constraints that limit our ability to accommodate large numbers of diverted flights or maintain the airport’s safe operation and strongly encourages aircraft operators to contact the airport at 423-855-2204 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. CHA’s limitations include:
· Absence of international passenger processing facilities
· Limited number of aircraft parking positions
During diversion events CHA issues NOTAMs regarding its ability to accommodate diverted flights to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport and its ability to serve the civil aviation needs of the public during irregular operations events.
Airport Information
Name of Airport: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
Name and title of person preparing the plan: April Cameron, President & CEO
Preparer contact number: 423-855-2260
Preparer contact e-mail: acameron@chattairport.com
Date of submission of plan: May 19, 2022
Airport Category: Large Hub Medium Hub Small Hub X Non Hub
Contact Information
In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Dispatch Office at 423-855-2204 for assistance.
Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays
CHA has limited equipment and personnel needed to safely deplane passengers from air carrier aircraft. We will utilize this equipment to deplane passengers as soon as practicable after receiving requests from such airlines at the contact number listed above. We will also provide a list of airlines, ground handlers, fixed base operators and others who may have the necessary equipment and personnel to safely deplane passengers to airlines as soon as practicable after receiving requests from such airlines experiencing excessive tarmac delays at the contact number listed above. CHA will coordinate with the affected air carrier to make Gate 5 available for the deplaning of passengers into the terminal.
Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available in an Emergency
The gates at CHA are considered common use to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. We direct our common use air carrier users to make gates and other facilities available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate to the maximum extent practicable. Should the need for space exceed that capacity, adjacent ramp space will be utilized to the extent practicable to park aircraft so that passengers can access the terminal.
Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection
CHA does not have international passenger processing facilities. In the event an international arrival, which has not yet cleared US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), requires deplaning, Gate 2 will be designated as the Sterile Area and utilized for passenger staging. An airport police officer will escort the group until CBP personnel arrive on scene. We will coordinate these procedures with local CBP and law enforcement officials in advance.
Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan
CHA will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan through posting it in a conspicuous location here on chattairport.com.