Delta joined JetBlue in asking the U.S. Transportation Dept. to temporarily waive the new three-hour limit on tarmac delays, as applied to operations at New York’s Kennedy Airport.

The new rule is scheduled to take affect for domestic flights at all U.S. airports on April 29, requiring airlines to give passengers stuck onboard while on the ground for at least three hours the option to get off the plane.

JetBlue last week asked the DOT to waive the rule for its operations, citing the closure March 1 of Kennedy’s busiest runway for months of construction (DAILY, March 8). JetBlue asked for the waiver until Dec. 1 or until the runway construction is completed, whichever is earlier, because the closure will increase the potential for long delays and returns to the gate could further disrupt airport operations.

JetBlue, however, only requested the waiver for itself. In its filing, Delta supported JetBlue’s application and asked for the waiver to be extended to Delta “and other similarly situated carriers.”

“Delta agrees with JetBlue that rigid and inflexible application of the new tarmac delay rule would have the unintended and undesirable effect of exacerbating passenger inconvenience and disruption by forcing the cancellation of flights that could otherwise be operated,” the carrier said. Delta added that, like JetBlue, it would inform passengers of the likelihood of delays and ensure that there are sanitary lavatories and adequate food and beverages on board for a long delay.