Originally Posted by
jslost
Hi, I've been a frequent viewer of this great board but just now have a good reason to get involved. I'm interested in learning about the flight diversion procedure for the airlines.
I hope this is the right place for this question!
I recentely had an experience where our flight was diverted from the intended destination (Monterey, CA) to Fresno, CA. This isn't that far away 3 hours +/- but the thing is there are three closer international airports that service this airline (US Airways). I am curious why they would choose Fresno over other airports that are much closer.
I have looked into the FAA alternate rules and it seems to discuss only that the alternate airports must meet the weather requiremetns. I know our original flight was diverted from Monterey due to fog but I am positive there was no fog or weather problem in San Jose.
My gut feeling is that US Airways flew us to Fresno because it was easier for THEM, and not for their customers.
Is there any way to figure out why they took us to Fresno?
Thanks so much!
JH
I can't point you to a resource that will definitely tell you why you detoured to Fresno. But I can suggest some reasons why an airline would divert to one airport over another:
1. The closest open airport was overwhelmed with other diversions.
2. The airline doesn't have regular operations at the closest airport.
3. The closest airport doesn't have a runway that's big enough to handle the plane.
4. The closest airport doesn't have sufficient takeoff and landing slots to accommodate all of the diverted airplanes.
5. The airplane went to the airport that it was closest to, not the airport closest to its destination.
6. The airline anticipated that diverted passengers would have to be put on alternative flights to the original destination (vs. reboarding the diverted airplane and continuing their flight). The airline chose the airport that would have a sufficient number of seats available on alternative flights.