> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canadava.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Alternate Airport

> How and when to divert to an alternate airport at Virtual Air Canada and what to include in your PIREP.

## Diverting to an Alternate Airport

Virtual Air Canada permits pilots to divert to an alternate airport when an in-flight emergency or operational issue makes continuing to the planned destination unsafe or impractical. Safety always takes precedence over the planned route.

<Warning>
  Diversions are reserved for genuine emergencies or operational necessity. They are not intended as a way to shorten a flight, avoid a difficult approach, or recover from poor planning.
</Warning>

## When a Diversion Is Acceptable

Common situations that justify a diversion include:

* **Medical emergency** on board requiring immediate landing
* **Technical failure** affecting the safe continuation of flight
* **Severe weather** at the destination below operating minimums
* **Fuel emergency** caused by unexpected winds, holding, or routing changes
* **Closed destination airport** due to incident, runway closure, or NOTAM
* Any other situation where landing at the original destination is unsafe

## PIREP Review

Any flight that lands at an airport other than the planned destination is automatically flagged with the `Diversion Detected` rule and sent for staff review. See the full list of failure rules on the [PIREP Statuses](/operations/pirep-statuses) page.

A diversion does not result in an automatic rejection. The operations team reviews each case on its own merits to determine whether the diversion was justified.

## Provide a PIREP Comment

<Note>
  You **must** leave a PIREP comment explaining the reason for the diversion. Without context, the review team cannot validate the decision and the PIREP may be rejected.
</Note>

Include enough detail for the team to understand what happened. A short, clear explanation is enough.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Land safely at the alternate">
    Your first priority is a safe landing. Aircraft and passenger safety always come first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="File the PIREP as normal">
    Submit your PIREP through Pegasus ACARS or vAMSYS the same way you would for any other flight.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a PIREP comment">
    Open the PIREP in the Pilot Hub and leave a comment explaining the reason for the diversion (for example, weather below minimums, hydraulic failure, medical emergency, or fuel issue).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for staff review">
    The operations team will review your comment along with the flight data. If the diversion is justified, your PIREP will be accepted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The more specific your comment, the faster the review. Include the cause, the airport you diverted to, and any relevant ACARS or simulator information.
</Tip>

## Need Help?

If you have questions about diversions or how to document them, our operations team is available to assist.

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