Tyler Pounds Regional Airport 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 Stephen Thompson at smthompson@tylertexas.com. Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because (1) it is a commercial airport or (2) this airport 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, Tyler Pounds Regional (TPRA) airport 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).

TPRA has facility constraints that limit our ability to accommodate diverted flights or maintain the airport’s safe operation and strongly encourages aircraft operators to contact the airport at 903-531-9825 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints include the following:

• Aircraft larger than 195,000 DWG require prior coordination with the airport;

   

• Wide body commercial aircraft (Jet Bridge Boarding)

During diversion events TPRA 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: Tyler Pounds Regional Airport

Name and title of person preparing the plan: Stephen Thompson – Airport Manager

Preparer contact number: 903-531-9825

Preparer contact e-mail: smthompson@tylertexas.com

Date of submission of plan: June 22, 2022

Airport Category: Large Hub * Medium Hub * Small Hub * Non Hub ×  

Contact Information

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Management at smthompson@tylertexas.com  (903-941-3275) or mtovar@tylertexas.com (903-563-4598) for assistance.

Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays

Other than two Jet Bridges at the terminal, TPRA does not own or operate any other equipment needed to safely deplane passengers from air carrier aircraft and is, therefore, unable on its own to provide for the deplanement of passengers.  Additionally, airport personnel are not trained to assist in the deplanement of passengers using jet bridges or equipment owned and operated by air carriers or contract service providers.  However, we have requested that each airline, ground handler and FBO operation on the airport provide us with a list of the equipment and resources that they have for deplaning passengers and their contact information.  We will provide this inventory and contact information to airlines as soon as practical after receiving requests from such airlines experiencing excessive tarmac delays at the contact number listed above.

Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available in an Emergency       The gates at TPRA are under common use gate lease permits, or agreements 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 practical.        

Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection

TPRA does not have international passenger processing facilities.  We will coordinate with local United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and law enforcement officials to identify suitable areas and procedures for establishing a temporary sterile area into which international passengers on diverted aircraft who have yet cleared CBP can deplane.  Once these efforts are complete, we will coordinate with local CBP officials to develop procedures that will allow international passengers to be deplaned into these sterile areas to the extent practical.

Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan

TPRA will provide public access to its Emergency Contingency Plan through the following means:

• Posting in a conspicuous location on the airport website (www.tylerairport.com)