DOT ACCEPTING TARMAC DELAY INCIDENT REPORTS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS VIA ACERS
April 10, 2026
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
On March 18, 2026, DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection announced a new module in ACERS which will accept both tarmac delay incident reports as well as submissions of tarmac delay contingency plans. This marks the latest update to ACERS since its initial launch in August 2025 as OACP works to familiarize the industry with DOT’s new reporting system. Please be advised that any written reports of lengthy tarmac delay incidents occurring on or after April 1, 2026, must be submitted through the new module on ACERS. If incidents occur on or before March 31, 2026, carriers should submit reports via email (reporttarmacdelay@dot.gov). As for the submission of contingency plans for lengthy tarmac delays, U.S. air carriers will be permitted to submit updated plans via this new module. Only U.S. air carriers are required to submit updated plans every three years with the next submission due in 2027.
This Aviation Blog Post is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Andrew Orr at 202.659.6625 or aorr@eckertseamans.com; Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
