Emergency Contingency Plan

The Rochester International Airport (RST), Rochester, Minnesota 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 Airport Operations, at rst@flyrst.com. The Rochester International Airport has filed this plan with the Department of Transportation because (1) RST is a commercial service airport or (2) RST 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, the Rochester 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).

During diversions, the Rochester International Airport may issue 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:
Rochester International Airport, KRST, Rochester, MN, USA

Name & Title of Person Responsible For This Plan:
Kurt Claussen, Deputy Airport Director

Contact Number:
507.282.2328

Contact Email:
kclaussen@flyrst.com

Date Plan Submitted to DOT:
May 7, 2012

Airport Category:
Small, Non-Hub

Contact Information

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact the Airport Duty Telephone at 507.254.1161 for assistance.

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

The Rochester International Airport (RST) does not 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 the Rochester International Airport (RST) are under common-use leases to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. We will work with our common-use tenant air carriers to make 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

Rochester 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

Rochester International Airport will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan through one or more of the following means:

• Posting in a conspicuous location on the airport website (https://flyrst.com/emergency-contingency-plan/)
• PDF Available: RST IROP Contingency Plan
• Providing notice of the availability of the plan on the airport’s social media accounts.
• Posting signs in conspicuous locations in the terminals.