Submission of Narrative Report Regarding Excessive Tarmac Delays: US Carriers

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS
OFFICE OF AIRLINE INFORMATION
ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING DIRECTIVE
No. 331

Issue Date: 6/4/2019

Effective Date: Immediately
Part:

244

Part 244 – Reporting of Tarmac Delay Data (Revised)
This Accounting and Reporting Directive updates and replaces Accounting and Reporting
Directive 303 that was issued on June 10, 2011. The updates are: (1) rescission of the
requirement to submit an initial Tarmac Delay Report for the period August 23 through
September 30, 2011; (2) clarification of the reporting responsibilities in joint service operations;
(3) guidance for e-submit registration; (4) example for submitting a transmittal letter; and (5)
example of reporting a fly return.
Reporting carriers for purposes of submitting tarmac delay data are all U.S and foreign air
carriers that operate scheduled passenger or public charter service to or from a U.S. non-hub,
small hub, medium hub, or large hub airport with at least one aircraft having an original
manufacturer’s design capacity of 30 seats or more.
All carriers described in the previous paragraph must register with the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics to submit tarmac delay data. To register, you must log into the eSubmit web
application: http://esubmit.rita.dot.gov. If a carrier’s representative is already a registered
eSubmit user, then he or she will need to log into the eSubmit web application to select and add
the Part 244 Tarmac Delay Data to the list of reports that the carrier submits. For new users, once
logged in, the system will allow you to create a new user account.
1. U.S. air carriers that submit Airline Service Quality Performance Reports pursuant to 14
CFR Part 234 must now submit a secondary report under Part 244 for any domestic public
charter flight or any international scheduled passenger or public charter flight that is on the
tarmac at any U.S. large hub airport, medium hub airport, small hub airport or non-hub airport
for more than 3 hours. Tarmac delays experienced at foreign airports are not reported. Also,
flights that are reported under the requirements of Part 234 Airline Service Quality Performance
Reports are not reported under Part 244.
2. Commuter air carriers that operate at least one aircraft having an original manufacturer’s
design capacity of 30 seats or more must report tarmac delay data for all scheduled passenger or
public charter operations that experience a tarmac time of more than 3 hours at a U.S. airport.
Tarmac delays experienced at foreign airports are not reported.

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3. Certificated air carriers that do not submit Airline Service Quality Performance Reports and
operate at least one aircraft having an original manufacturer’s design capacity of 30 seats or
more must report tarmac delay data for all scheduled passenger and public charter operations that
experience a tarmac delay of more than 3 hours at a U.S. airport. Tarmac delays experienced at
foreign airports are not reported.
4. Foreign air carriers that operate at least one aircraft having an original manufacturer’s design
capacity of 30 seats or more must report tarmac delay data for all scheduled passenger and public
charter operations that experience a tarmac delay of more than 3 hours at a U.S. airport. Tarmac
delays experienced at foreign airports are not reported. Also, a charter flight by a foreign air
carrier is not subject to this rule if the flight is operating from a foreign airport to a U.S.
airport and returns to a foreign airport and did not enplane any new passengers in the
United States.
5. Joint Service Operations – The Department will not dictate which carrier has the reporting
responsibility for joint service operations. Both the marketing and operating carriers will be held
legally responsible if data for a reportable tarmac delay are not timely or accurately filed. Joint
service operations are operations such as code-share services, wet lease services, or substitution
of services.
Reporting Frequency
Part 244 data submissions are based on calendar months; and the reports are due 15 days after
the end of the calendar month. Due dates falling on Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays are
automatically extended to the next federal work day. Carriers are only required to submit
reports for the periods where at least one - tarmac delay of more than 3 hours occurred.
Record Format:
The Tarmac Delay Data reports must be created as an electronic “comma separated values” file,
using ASCII text character encoding, for uploading via the “eSubmit” application.
The comma separated values file MUST BE indicated when naming the file, by using the letters
[CSV] or [csv] following the file name, as the file name extension.
The file name is flexible and may be determined by the individual carrier, but the comma
separated values (csv) file format is required, as outlined in the rule entitled, Submitting Airline
Data via the Internet.
The fields in the sample record shown below follow the same order as the above record
description, separated by commas, and saved with the file name extension of .csv.
Suggested file name: XX201903-244Tarmac.csv
For the months where a carrier submits a Tarmac Delay Data Report, the carrier must also
submit a Tarmac Delay Transmittal Letter.
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The transmittal letter must identify the carrier, a responsible official, month and year for which
the Tarmac Delay Data are being submitted. The certification statement will read:
I, (Name) and (Title), of the above-named air carrier, certify that the BTS Form 244
“Tarmac Delay Data Report” is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true,
correct, and a complete report for the period stated.
Date:
Signature:
Name (Please Print or Type):
The name(s) and telephone number(s) of the carrier’s staff who can be contacted to resolve
problems regarding both carrier data and technical matters.
RECORD FORMAT:
Once signed, the Tarmac Delay Data Transmittal Letter must be published as an electronic
“portable document format” file format, for uploading to the eSubmit application.
The portable document format file MUST BE indicated when naming the file, by using the
letters [PDF] or [pdf] following the file name, as the file name extension. You must have Adobe
software downloaded on your computer in order to “save as/print” your document as a ‘pdf’ file.
While the file name is flexible and may be determined by the individual air carrier, the portable
document format (pdf) file format is required, as outlined in the rule entitled, Submitting Airline
Data via the Internet.
Suggested file name: XX201903-244transmittal.pdf

The web address for data submission is http://esubmit.rita.dot.gov
Please contact Marianne Seguin at [email protected] to set up your carrier’s account for
reporting Part 244 data.

Definitions:
1. 'Gate arrival time' is the instant when the pilot sets the aircraft parking brake after arriving at
the airport gate or passenger unloading area. If the parking brake is not set, record the time for
the opening of the passenger door. Also, carriers using a Docking Guidance System (DGS) may
record the official “gate-arrival time” when the aircraft is stopped at the appropriate parking
mark.

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2. 'Gate departure time' is the instant when the pilot releases the aircraft parking brake after
passengers have loaded and aircraft doors have been closed. In cases where the flight returned to
the departure gate before wheels-off time and departed a second time, report the last gate
departure time before wheels-off time. In cases of an air return, report the last gate departure
time before the gate return. If passengers were boarded without the parking brake being set or
released, record the time that the passenger door was closed. Also, carriers using a DGS may
record the official “gate-departure time” based on aircraft movement. For example, DGS records
gate departure time when the aircraft moves more than 1 meter from the appropriate parking
mark within 15 seconds. Fifteen seconds is then subtracted from the recorded time to obtain the
appropriate out time.
3. “Gate Return” is when an aircraft leaves the boarding gate only to return to a gate for the
purpose of allowing passengers to de-board the aircraft.
4. “Time”- all times are reported in local time using a 24 hour clock; e.g. 3:15 p.m. will be 1515,
midnight is 2400, and one minute after midnight is 0001.
This action is taken under authority delegated by 14 CFR 385.19(b).
See below for reporting examples.

William Chadwick, Jr.
Director
Office of Airline Information
Bureau of Transportation Statistics

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OMB NO: 2105-0561
EXPIRATION DATE: 10/31/2021
Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2105-0561. Public reporting for Part 244, 3-hour Tarmac Delay, is estimated to be
approximately 2 hours per response for U.S. Carriers and 4 hours per response for Foreign Carriers, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and
reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory, as authorized by 14 CFR Part 244. Send comments regarding
this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Daeleen Chesley, Senior Attorney,
OST/OGC, C-70, Room W94-312, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20590 or e-mail – [email protected].

Reporting Example: A flight with a 308 minute taxi-out time:
RECORD DESCRIPTION: Part 244 - Tarmac Delay Data
Field Description
Comments
1 Carrier Code
2 Flight Number
3 Departure Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
4 Arrival Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
5 Date of Operation
Year/Month/Day (8 Digit)
6 Gate Departure Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
7 Wheels-Off Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
8 Wheels-On Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
9 Gate Arrival Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
10 Aircraft Tail Number
11 Total Ground Time Away From Gate for In Minutes
Gate Returns/ Canceled Flights
12 Longest Time Away from Gate for Gate In Minutes
Returns or Canceled Flights
13 Diverted Flight including Fly Returns –
3 Letter IATA Code
Airport Landing
14 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
15 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
16 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
17 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
18 Diverted Flight – Airport Landing
3 Letter IATA Code
19 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
20 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
21 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
22 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)

Sample Data
ZZ
1234
DFW
BNA
20110823
0737
1245
1410
1417
N736ZZ

Items 13 through 17 are for diverted flights; and items 18 through 22 are for reporting a second
diverted flight segment. If there are no diversions used to identify nil fields.
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Sample Record Format:
ZZ,1234,DFW,BNA,20110823,0737,1245,1410,1417,N736ZZ,,,,,,,,,,,,

Reporting Example: Flight was on the tarmac for 201 minutes then returned to the gate to
allow passengers to deplane and then after another hour re-departed.
RECORD DESCRIPTION: Part 244 - Tarmac Delay Data
Field Description
Comments
1 Carrier Code
2 Flight Number
3 Departure Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
4 Arrival Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
5 Date of Operation
Year/Month/Day (8 Digit)
6 Gate Departure Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
7 Wheels-Off Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
8 Wheels-On Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
9 Gate Arrival Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
10 Aircraft Tail Number
11 Total Ground Time Away From Gate for In Minutes
Gate Returns/ Canceled Flights
12 Longest Time Away from Gate for Gate In Minutes
Returns or Canceled Flights
13 Diverted Flight including Fly Returns –
3 Letter IATA Code
Airport Landing
14 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
15 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
16 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
17 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
18 Diverted Flight – Airport Landing
3 Letter IATA Code
19 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
20 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
21 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
22 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)

Sample Data
ZZ
1234
DFW
BNA
20110823
1230
1245
1410
1417
N736ZZ
201
201

Items 13 through 17 are for diverted flights; and items 18 through 22 are for reporting a second
diverted flight segment. If there are no diversions used, to identify nil fields.

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Sample Record Format:
ZZ,1234,DFW,BNA,20110823,1230,1245,1410,1417,N736ZZ,201,201,,,,,,,,,,
Note: In this case, the flight returned to the departure gate before wheels-off time and departed a
second time, therefore, you must report the last gate departure time which is before wheels-off
time.

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Reporting Example
Flight diverted to an alternate airport and spent 185 minutes on the tarmac.
RECORD DESCRIPTION: Part 244 - Tarmac Delay Data
Field Description
Comments
1 Carrier Code
2 Flight Number
3 Departure Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
4 Arrival Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
5 Date of Operation
Year/Month/Day (8 Digit)
6 Gate Departure Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
7 Wheels-Off Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
8 Wheels-On Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
9 Gate Arrival Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
10 Aircraft Tail Number
11 Total Ground Time Away From Gate for In Minutes
Gate Returns/ Canceled Flights
12 Longest Time Away from Gate for Gate In Minutes
Returns or Canceled Flights
13 Diverted Flight including Fly Returns –
3 Letter IATA Code
Airport Landing
14 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
15 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
16 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
17 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
18 Diverted Flight – Airport Landing
3 Letter IATA Code
19 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
20 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
21 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
22 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)

Sample Data
ZZ
1234
DFW
BNA
20110823
0737
0757
1306
1317
N736ZZ

MEM
0914
185
185
1219

Sample Record Format:
ZZ,1234,DFW,BNA,20110823,0737,0757,1306,1317,N736ZZ,,,MEM,0914,185,185,1219,,,,,

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Reporting Example
Flight experiencing two diversions
RECORD DESCRIPTION: Part 244 - Tarmac Delay Data
Field Description
Comments
1 Carrier Code
2 Flight Number
3 Departure Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
4 Arrival Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
5 Date of Operation
Year/Month/Day (8 Digit)
6 Gate Departure Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
7 Wheels-Off Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
8 Wheels-On Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
9 Gate Arrival Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
10 Aircraft Tail Number
11 Total Ground Time Away From Gate for In Minutes
Gate Returns/ Canceled Flights
12 Longest Time Away from Gate for Gate In Minutes
Returns or Canceled Flights
13 Diverted Flight including Fly Returns –
3 Letter IATA Code
Airport Landing
14 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
15 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
16 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
17 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
18 Diverted Flight – Airport Landing
3 Letter IATA Code
19 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
20 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
21 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
22 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)

Sample Data
ZZ
1234
DFW
BNA
20110823
0737
0757
1650
1657
N736ZZ

MEM
0914
185
185
1219
DFW
1359
60
60
1459

Sample Record Format:
ZZ,1234,DFW,BNA,20110823,0737,0757,1650,1657,N736ZZ,,,MEM,0914,185,185,1219,DFW
,1359,60,60,1459

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Reporting Example
Flight returns to origin airport and is canceled.
RECORD DESCRIPTION: Part 244 - Tarmac Delay Data
Field Description
Comments
1 Carrier Code
2 Flight Number
3 Departure Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
4 Arrival Airport Code
3 Letter IATA Code
5 Date of Operation
Year/Month/Day (8 Digit)
6 Gate Departure Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
7 Wheels-Off Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
8 Wheels-On Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
9 Gate Arrival Time
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
10 Aircraft Tail Number
11 Total Ground Time Away From Gate for In Minutes
Gate Returns/ Canceled Flights
12 Longest Time Away from Gate for Gate In Minutes
Returns or Canceled Flights
13 Diverted Flight including Fly Returns –
3 Letter IATA Code
Airport Landing
14 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
15 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
16 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
17 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
18 Diverted Flight – Airport Landing
3 Letter IATA Code
19 Wheels-On Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)
20 Total Time Away from Gate at Diverted In Minutes
Airport
21 Longest Time Away from Gate at
In Minutes
Diverted Airport
22 Wheels-Off Time at Diverted Airport
24 Hour Clock (4 Digit)

Sample Record Format:
ZZ,123,DFW,,20110129,1111,1123,,,N736ZZ,,,DFW,1235,213,213,,,,,,

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Sample Data
ZZ
123
DFW
20110829
1111
1123

N736ZZ

DFW
1235
213
213