AN “EFC DIVERSION” PREVENTED Diversion Management Case Study Problem: On December 16, 2009, a flight bound for JFK with 42 passengers was directed into a hold by the FAA just 19 minutes after its 1859z (1359 local) take off from Raleigh-Durham. The reason for the hold was not clear, but flow control into afternoon congestion in the JFK terminal airspace was the likely cause. Based on an EFC (“expect further clearance”) of 1950z (1450 local), a calculation of the fuel requirement to hold for that duration, and an assessment of fuel-on-board, the pilot – in coordination with the airline dispatcher – decided to divert to Philadelphia. “Going to Philadelphia now, 9 planes holding ahead of us,” the pilot reported. When an aircraft is instructed to hold, the pilot is given a time to

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