From January 1, 2017, Lhasa Airport will implement the new regulations according to Provisions of the Normal Flight Management issued by the Ministry of Transport. New regulations include that how to deal with the situation when flight delays, it should be granted as delay when the flight is postponed for more than 15 minutes, how to safeguard passengers' legitimate rights and interests, etc.

According to the responsible person from Tibet Civil Aviation Authority, from January 1, 2017, the Lhasa Gongga Airport shall implement the new civil aviation regulations simultaneously with the whole nation. The new regulations require that if the flight is postponed for more than 15 minutes, it should be granted as delay. If the flight state changes, the information of flight departure delays or cancellation should be issued or announced to the passengers through public information platform, the official website or broadcast timely and accurately within 30 minutes.

Getting the passengers into the cabin for over 15 minutes is a "delay" as well, said the responsible person. After boarding, it is very common for passengers to wait for an hour in the cabin. Now, if the situation happens, it should be granted as a "onboard flight delays". 

The new regulations also mentioned that from January 1, 2017 on, flight delays or cancellations caused by weather, emergencies, air traffic control, security and any other non carrier reasons, the flight carrier should help the passengers to arrange accommodation but the costs should be undertaken by travelers themselves.

On the other hand, if the flight is delayed or canceled in the departure port due to the equipment maintenance, aircraft deployment, aircraft crew and any other carriers reasons, airline company should provide meals, accommodation and any other service to passengers for free.

If domestic flights are delayed or canceled at stopping places, for whatever reason, the airline company shall provide meals or accommodation services to travelers for free.

When the flight is delayed or canceled, the airlines, aviation sales agent or ground service agent shall provide priority service for the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women and unaccompanied children etc. who need special care.

During the period of large delay of the night flights, the airport administrative agency should coordinate and extend the operation time of the airport buses.

In addition, the new regulations stated that in order to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of passengers, passengers can not only make complaints to the airlines, airport management authorities, ground service agent, aviation sales agent or the civil aviation administrative organization, but also directly apply for arbitration or file a civil lawsuit according to law.

The airport authority, the ground service agent, the aviation sales agent and the civil aviation administrative organization shall handle the situation and inform the passengers of the information about the acceptanc of the complaint within 7 days after receipt of the complaints. Domestic carriers, airport management agencies, ground service agents, aviation sales agents and civil aviation administrative organization shall make substantial reply within 10 days after receipt of complaints.