Laredo 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 Gilberto Sanchez Jr, Airport Director at gsanchez@ci.laredo.tx.us.
Laredo 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, Laredo 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).
Laredo 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 (956)795-2000 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints include the following limited number of gates and can accommodate limited numbers of
international passengers in designated sterile areas. During diversion events Laredo International Airport 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: Laredo International Airport
Name and title of person preparing the plan: Gilberto Sanchez Jr.
Preparer contact number: (956)795-2000
Preparer contact e-mail: gsanchez@ci.laredo.tx.us
Date of submission of plan: July 27, 2022
Airport Category: Non-Hub
Contact Information
In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Police available 24/7 at (956)795-2000 or Airport Director gsanchez@ci.laredo.tx.us for assistance.
Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays
Laredo 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 Laredo 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.
Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection
Laredo International Airport has United States Customs and Border Protection services 24 hours a day seven (7) days a week with defined sterile areas capable of accommodating limited numbers of international passengers. 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. International Airlines diverting international passengers or experiencing excessive tarmac delays should contact the Airport Police at (956)795-2000 and CBP at (956)791-5706 to make arrangements.
Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection
Laredo International Airport will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan through one or more of the following means:
- Providing notice of the availability of the plan on the airport’s website. (http://www.flylaredotexas.com)
- By requesting a copy by phone with Airport Police at (956)795-2000 or via email to Gilberto Sanchez Jr at gsanchez@ci.laredo.tx.us or Andrew Knapp at aknapp@ci.laredo.tx.us