The Ithaca Tompkins 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 Roxan E. Noble, Airport Director, rnoble@tompkins-co.org. The Ithaca
Tompkins International Airport is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because
it is (1) a commercial airport and (2) 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
Ithaca Tompkins International 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).

The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport does not have a United States Customs & Border
Protection (CBP) presence to accommodate diverted international flights and strongly
encourages aircraft operators operating international flights to contact the Fire Chief/Airport
Deputy Director Josh Nalley, at (607) 266-2641 for prior coordination of diverted international
flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints
include the following: a lack of United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP) presence,
aircraft handling capability is limited to the hours of airline employees and airline scheduled
operations. In addition, the Air Traffic Control Tower hours of operation are 0500 until 2100.
We have noted these constraints in the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport/Facility
Directory record.

Airport Information
Name of Airport: Ithaca Tompkins International Airport
Name and title of person preparing the plan: Roxan E. Noble, Airport Director
Preparer contact number: (607)266-2645
Preparer contact e-mail: rnoble@tompkins-co.org
Date of submission of plan: June 1, 2022
Airport Category: Large Hub * Medium Hub * Small Hub * Non Hub x

Contact Information
In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact
the Airport Operations Shift leader at (607)592-5351 for assistance.

Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays
The Ithaca Tompkins 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, the
fixed base operator 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 Making Gates Available in an
Emergency

The gates at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport are considered common use and are
defined as such in all airport/airline use agreements. 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 (CBP)

In the event that an international flight should divert to the Ithaca Tompkins International
Airport 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.

Plan to Provide for Passengers on Diverted Flights when the Airline Does Not Serve the
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport

The airline will contact airport administration which will coordinate with tenant airlines and FBO
to provide requested services. Flight deck and cabin crew will be expected to oversee their
passengers in the departure lounge and act as liaisons for any required passengers services.
Plan to Provide Food, Potable Water, Bathroom Facilities, and Medical Treatment
The departure lounge is equipped with vending machines providing snacks, beverages and
bottled water. There are bathroom facilities for men and women and each Airport Operations

Technician is a fully trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). There are a minimum of
two Airport Operations Technicians during normal airport operating hours (0430 – 2400). The
Airport Operations Technicians will maintain a presence for all irregular operations. The airport
staff will call for additional medical assistance if the required treatment is beyond their
expertise or capabilities.

In the event of a prolonged delay within the passenger departure lounge, the terminal café is
capable of providing hot and cold meals and a variety of beverages. Outside of the normal
café operational times, the owner can respond at short notice to provide the needed service.
She may be reached through liaison with the Airport Operations Technician on duty. The TSA
would need to be present to screen any items of food or drink entering the passenger
departure lounge.

Plan to Provide Security for Passengers Wishing to Leave the Sterile Area (Passenger
Departure Lounge)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) maintains a presence in the terminal for all
scheduled airline operations, including delayed flights. The same TSA staff would provide
oversight of activities within the passenger departure lounge, including oversight of
passengers from diverted flights and delayed flights originating from Ithaca.
In the event of departed flights returning to the gate or the arrival of diverted flights,
passengers would be held inside the passenger departure lounge with the exit manned to
prevent egress or it will be placed in the down position. The TSA will be immediately notified
by the Airport Operations Technician and requested to provide coverage of the passenger
departure lounge.

In the event of a prolonged delay, and at the discretion of the TSA and the airline, domestic
passengers only may be allowed to leave the passenger departure lounge to use the
restaurant or other airport facilities, provided that they are properly screened upon re-entering
the passenger departure lounge.

Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan
The Ithaca Tompkins 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 (http://FlyIthaca.com)
• Providing notice of the availability of the plan on the airport’s social media accounts.
• Posting signs in conspicuous locations in the terminals.
• Advertising the availability of the plan in local newspapers of record.

View a PDF of the Contingency Plan here: FINALIZED 2022 ITHACA TOMPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLAN.