Irregular Operations

HOUSTON AIRPORTS IRREGULAR OPERATIONS EMERGENCY PLANS (IROPS)

George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and William P. Hobby (HOU) Airports have each prepared an Emergency Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. IAH and HOU filed this plan with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) because they are commercial airports.

The plans for each airport describe how, following excessive tarmac delays and to the extent practicable, IAH and HOU 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 the United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

GEORGE BUSH INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT

The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has prepared this Irregular Operations Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. The George Bush Intercontinental 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, George Bush Intercontinental 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).

Airport Information

Name of Airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 
Date of updated submission of plan: May 28, 2024
Airport Category: Large Hub

Contact Information

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Duty Manager at 1-281-233-1131 for assistance.

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

George Bush Intercontinental Airport 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.

Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available Under Irregular Operations Conditions

14 gates at George Bush Intercontinental Airport are under common use leases to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. Additionally, 118 gates at George Bush Intercontinental Airport are under preferential and/or exclusive long-term leases to air carriers and are not fully controlled by the airport. We will work with our common use tenant air carriers to make gates available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate to the extent practicable. If additional gates are needed, we will work with tenant air carriers to make preferential and/or exclusive use gates and other facilities available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate to the extent practicable.

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

George Bush Intercontinental Airport has 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.

Public Access to the Irregular Operations Contingency Plan

George Bush Intercontinental Airport will provide public access to its irregular operations plan through the following means: Posting in a conspicuous location on the airport website (www.Fly2Houston.com).

Download a PDF version.

WILLIAM P. HOBBY AIRPORT

William P. Hobby Airport has prepared this Emergency Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. William P. Hobby Airport is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because it is a commercial airport. 

This plan describes how, following excessive tarmac delays and to the extent practicable, William P. Hobby Airport will: 

  • Provide for the deplanement of passengers; 
  • Provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport; and 
  • Provide CBP support following excessive tarmac delays for passengers who have not yet cleared the United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP). 

Airport Information 

Name of Airport: William P. Hobby Airport 

Date of updated submission of plan: 05 / 28 / 2024

Airport Category: Medium Hub 

Contact Information 

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Operations Supervisor at 1-713-410-1978 or HOUEmergencyCenter@houstontx.gov for assistance. 

Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays

William P. Hobby Airport 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. 

Sharing of Facilities and Gate Availability in an Emergency

Three gates at William P. Hobby Airport are under common use leases to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. Additionally, 27 gates at William P. Hobby Airport are under preferential and / or exclusive leases to air carriers and are not fully controlled by the airport. We will direct our common use gate lessees, permittees or users to make gates available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate to the maximum extent practicable. If additional gates are needed, we will direct tenant air carriers to make preferential and / or exclusive use gates and other facilities available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate, during those time periods when the tenant airline is not using, or not scheduled to use, the gates, to the maximum extent practicable. 

Plan for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection

William P. Hobby Airport has a defined international passenger processing facility. We will coordinate with local CBP officials to quickly deploy needed CBP staff to clear flights which have been diverted and delayed. 

Download a PDF version.