What is a flight diversion?

A flight diversion is when an aircraft is redirected to land at an airport other than its planned destination, typically due to weather, a medical emergency, a technical issue, or an airspace restriction. Diversions are a normal, pre-planned contingency in commercial aviation.

What causes a flight to divert?

Common causes include adverse weather at the destination, crosswind limits, low visibility, thunderstorms, medical emergencies requiring immediate landing, technical issues on board, airspace restrictions or temporary flight restrictions, fuel requirements, and airport operational issues such as runway closures.

How quickly can ASM respond to a diversion?

ASM can respond immediately. ASM's 24/7 operations team is always staffed and begins coordinating from the moment a diversion is confirmed. Ground handlers, hotels, and fuel suppliers are contacted simultaneously to minimise ground time.

Does ASM coordinate permits for diversions to foreign countries?

Yes. Where the alternate airport is in a different country or regulatory jurisdiction, ASM coordinates any required emergency landing authorisation or regulatory notification on an urgent basis.

Can ASM handle passenger welfare during a diversion?

Yes. ASM coordinates hotel accommodation, ground transport, meal arrangements, and general passenger welfare support in line with the airline's instructions and applicable EU261 or equivalent regulatory requirements.

Does ASM support cargo flight diversions?

Yes. ASM supports cargo and freighter diversions, including customs notifications, documentation support, and onward routing coordination.

Can ASM support diversions to remote or non-hub airports?

Yes, though supplier availability varies by location. ASM will advise on available options and work every available contact to support the operation, even at challenging alternate locations.

What is the difference between a diversion and an emergency landing?

A diversion is a redirect to an alternate airport for operational reasons, which may or may not involve an emergency. An emergency landing typically involves a declared emergency, such as MAYDAY or PAN PAN, and an immediate landing at the nearest suitable airport. Both require rapid ground coordination.

Does ASM provide post-diversion onward flight support?

Yes. Where the aircraft is serviceable, ASM supports planning and permit coordination for the continuation of the original mission from the alternate airport.

AIRCRAFT DIVERSION & OPERATIONAL RECOVERY

Flight Diversion Support

ASM supports operators during unplanned diversions by coordinating alternate-airport services, ground handling, parking, fuel, PPR and permits, crew logistics, passenger or cargo requirements and onward recovery through one 24/7 operations team. Each requirement is reviewed against the aircraft, diversion reason, proposed airport, ETA, service availability and expected recovery plan.

CONTACT DIVERSION SUPPORT

Core Support Areas

✓ Ground handling, parking, fuel and PPR support where required.
✓ Crew HOTAC, transport and passenger assistance coordination.
✓ AOG-related local logistics and maintenance-provider contact where available.

Why ASM for Flight Diversion Support

A diversion is rarely just an airport change. It can affect handling, fuel, crew duty, passengers, cargo, permits and the next route decision. ASM keeps those pieces connected through practical operational coordination.

Clarity

Parallel Coordination

ASM coordinates the main diversion workstreams together, including alternate-airport services, handling, parking, fuel, permits, crew requirements and passenger or cargo support.

Continuity

Support Beyond Arrival

Diversion support may continue after landing through crew logistics, passenger movement, aircraft parking, onward planning and recovery coordination.

Experience

Connected Flight Support Capability

Diversion requirements can be connected with ASM’s wider capabilities in flight planning, permits, ground handling, aviation fuel, HOTAC and concierge support.

24/7 OPERATIONS

Diversion requirements reviewed around the clock.

Alternate Airport Checks

Airport access, handling, parking and service availability reviewed.

Parallel Coordination

Handling, fuel, permits and crew requirements progressed together.

Recovery Support

Onward routing, crew, passenger and aircraft requirements followed through.

Two Support Paths for Diversion Scenarios

Some operators need immediate support while the aircraft is moving towards an alternate airport. Others need structured recovery coordination after the aircraft is safely on the ground.

Immediate Diversion Support

For an aircraft diverting or arriving unexpectedly, ASM focuses first on confirming available airport and ground-support arrangements.

• Airport access and handler availability checks.
• Fuel, parking, PPR and basic ramp service coordination.
• Crew, passenger, baggage or cargo support where required.

Recovery and Follow-Up Support

For operators planning the next step, ASM supports the recovery workstream around people, aircraft and onward routing.

HOTAC, transport and local support coordination.
Onward flight planning, permits and fuel alignment.
AOG-related logistics and local maintenance-provider contact where available.

Diversion Support Services ASM Coordinates

Each diversion is reviewed against the reason for diversion, aircraft status, airport conditions, passenger or cargo profile, crew duty and the next operational step.

Alternate Airport Coordination

Ground-support feasibility checks covering airport operating hours, handler availability, aircraft acceptance, parking, PPR and locally available services.

The operator and pilot-in-command remain responsible for selecting and approving the operational alternate.

Ground Handling Coordination

Coordination with the appointed local handler for aircraft, passenger, baggage, cargo and ramp-service requirements.

Fuel and Onward Departure Support

Fuel uplift and supplier coordination for the diverted aircraft, together with alignment around revised routing and onward departure requirements.

Permit and Airport Approval Coordination

Review and coordination of landing permissions, PPR, revised overflight requirements and related approvals when the diversion changes the route or destination.

Crew and Passenger Support

Crew HOTAC, transport, passenger support and local assistance can be coordinated when the aircraft remains on ground or recovers later.
• HOTAC
• Concierge Services
• Ground transportation

AOG Coordination Support

Where an aircraft becomes unserviceable, ASM can coordinate parking, handling, crew and passenger requirements and contact with available local maintenance providers.

Maintenance assessment, repair and return-to-service approval are performed by appropriately authorised organisations.

Start With Your Diversion Requirement

Send the route, aircraft details, diversion airport, ETA and required services
to ASM for coordinated flight diversion support.

CONTACT DIVERSION SUPPORT

From Diversion Decision to Recovery Planning

The workflow keeps the aircraft, airport, crew, passengers and onward plan visible as the situation develops.

Diversion Details Intake

Aircraft, route, reason for diversion, ETA, airport and required services are reviewed.

Airport Feasibility Check

Handling, fuel, parking, PPR, operating hours and local support availability are checked.

Service Coordination

Ground handling, fuel, permits, HOTAC, transport and passenger support are aligned.

Operational Updates

ETA changes, service status, crew needs and onward plan updates are monitored.

Recovery Support

Departure, onward routing, crew or passenger recovery support is coordinated where required.

When Diversion Support Becomes Critical

Diversion support is most useful when the operator needs coordination across several services at once, especially at an unfamiliar airport or during a time-sensitive movement.

Weather or Airport Disruption

When weather, closure, runway disruption or airport access limitations force a change to the planned destination.

Technical or AOG Situation

When the aircraft needs extended ground time, local support, parking, maintenance coordination or recovery planning.

Crew, Passenger or Cargo Impact

When the diversion affects crew duty, passenger movement, cargo handling, hotel needs or onward transport.

What to Share With ASM

Clear initial details help the operations team identify the right support path quickly.

✓ Aircraft type, registration and operator details.

✓ Original route, planned destination and diversion airport.

✓ Current ETA and reason for diversion.

✓ Passenger, crew, baggage or cargo details.

✓ Fuel, handling, parking, permit or PPR requirements.

✓ HOTAC, transport, catering or passenger support needs.

✓ Aircraft status and whether AOG support is required.

✓ Expected onward plan or recovery schedule.

Diversion Coordination and Operational Responsibility

ASM coordinates available airport services, local providers, permits, fuel, handling, crew logistics and recovery-related requirements based on the information supplied by the operator.

The final diversion decision, alternate-airport selection, aircraft operational suitability, flight-plan acceptance, crew-duty compliance and continuation of the flight remain the responsibility of the aircraft operator, pilot-in-command and other authorised operational personnel.

Where an aircraft is unserviceable, technical assessment, repair and return-to-service approval remain the responsibility of the operator and appropriately approved maintenance organisations.

Aircraft diversion and alternate-airport recovery coordination

Flight Diversion Support FAQs

A diversion is an unplanned landing at an airport other than the intended destination. A technical stop is normally a planned intermediate landing, often for fuel or another operational requirement. An AOG situation means the aircraft cannot continue operating because of a technical or maintenance issue. Each requires a different support response: diversions require rapid alternate-airport coordination, technical stops require pre-arranged services, and AOG situations require continued ground support and maintenance-related logistics.

Contact ASM — Available 24/7
Email: sales@asm.aero | Call: +971 4 409 7755 | WeChat: ASMDXB

CONTAC DIVERSION SUPPORT