GULFPORT – BILOXI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLAN

Gulfport – Biloxi International 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 the Executive Director at gpt@flygpt.com. Gulfport – Biloxi International 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 and/or possible, Gulfport – Biloxi International 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).
  

Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport 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 228-863-1908 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints include the following: lack of international passenger processing facilities, a limited number of aircraft parking positions and passenger boarding bridges, and a limited number of concourse seating.

Airport Information

Name of Airport: Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport

Name and title of person preparing the plan: Richard A. Rushing III, Operations Supervisor

Preparer contact number: 228-863-5951

Preparer contact e-mail: operations@flygpt.com

Date of submission of plan: ___May 13, 2012

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 on-duty Airport Operations Supervisor at 228-863-1908 or operations@flygpt.com for assistance.

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

Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport does not own or operate any of the 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 equipment owned or operated by air carriers or contract service providers. We will 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.

Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available in an Emergency

The gates at Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport are under common use gate leases, 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 practicable. Due to limited facilities available, the aircraft must be immediately relocated by the air carrier to remote parking following the deplanement of passengers.

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

Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport does not have international passenger processing facilities. We will coordinate with local 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 not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection can be deplaned. Once these efforts are complete, we will coordinate with local CBP officials to develop procedures that will allow international passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection to be deplaned into these sterile areas to the extent practicable.

Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan

Gulfport – Biloxi International Airport will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan by posting it in a conspicuous location on the airport website (http://www.flygpt.com).