Procedure for a rapid disembarkation

In May 2022, Qantas advised that it was undertaking a review of its current non-routine disembarkation procedure and, in consultation with other airlines within the Qantas group, looking to incorporate a procedural framework that provided for the rapid disembarkation of passengers in certain circumstances.

In December 2021, the Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Part 121 Manual of Standards (MOS) came into effect and included requirements for flight and cabin crew to be trained in rapid disembarkation procedures when converting to a new aircraft type and for cabin crew to be trained annually. Guidance material that included the definition of a rapid disembarkation was also released in Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material (AMC/GM) Australian Air Transport – Larger Aeroplanes, CASR Part 121 v2.2.

In addition, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority produced guidance material in Cabin safety bulletin – 25 Emergency evacuation and occupant survivability in October 2021 that explained the difference between an evacuation and a rapid disembarkation and described the types of situations where this procedure may be appropriate to prevent unnecessary injury and avoid possible external hazards that may be present if needing to get out quickly at a terminal.