When do we need to file a IOR?

• A. Anytime there is a scheduled diversion.
• B. Anytime irregular operations other than diversion to a planned alternate occur.
• C. Only after a flight lands.
• D. Only for safety incidents.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is documenting operational disruptions that change the normal flow of a flight. An Irregular Operations Report is meant to capture those unexpected events that impact the schedule or service, so the operation can be analyzed and improvements can be made. The reason the best choice fits is that you file an IOR for irregular operations as they occur, except when the irregularity is simply a diversion to a planned alternate. Diversions that are built into the flight plan as a contingency are anticipated and managed through the plan itself, so they don’t require an additional IOR.

In practice, this means events like weather delays, mechanical issues, crew timing problems, or ground handling delays should trigger an IOR because they cause deviations from the planned operation. A diversion to a planned alternate is part of the contingency and is not treated as an irregular operation requiring the IOR. This reporting approach helps differentiate expected contingencies from unplanned disruptions, while still capturing overall performance and impact on passengers.