Narrative:

Due to extended delays related to maintenance prior to starting; we departed an hour late. While operating the return flight; we were informed by ATC that weather had deteriorated significantly and that holding; and delayed arrival procedures were in effect. The captain and I immediately began discussing our fuel and alternates. While holding over ZZZ1; we came to the conclusion that we did indeed need to divert. We informed dispatch via ACARS that we were interested in ZZZ and ZZZ2; with a preference for ZZZ2. Dispatch informed us that they preferred ZZZ since they had already coordinated with them our arrival; therefore we diverted to ZZZ. Upon landing in ZZZ; we found the airport operations to be less than sufficient to handle the amount of large aircraft diversions. For example; ZZZ had no customs agents on property; only one operating fuel truck; and only two available jet bridges. Both of these jet bridges were occupied. With ATC coordination we were told to wait on a taxiway south of the terminal.while parked on the taxiway; the captain spoke to maintenance; dispatch; ZZZ ATC as well as ZZZ airport operations to make every effort possible to secure a jet bridge. Captain also asked (twice) for dispatch to enter our in time at ZZZ; and report an out time for the continuation of the flight. She made it very clear that we were not at a gate and the in and out times should 1 minute apart. We were unable to enter the times ourselves as the trigger for the airbus is the main cabin door opening and closing. Also during this time; I was in constant contact with ZZZ ATC; ZZZ airport operations; as well as received several messages from crew scheduling concerning added flying to my reserve schedule. After an hour of asking dispatch; ATC; and operations for help; it became clear that we were not going to be able to secure a jet bridge for hours; if at all; while one of the airplanes on the jet bridge dealt with mx; the other aircraft on a jet bridge had a timed out crew with full passengers from an international flight that could not deplane because customs was (still) not on airport property. Dispatch informed us to refuel on a remote pad and continue. After obtaining fuel; we received a request to extend our duty day via ACARS and we accepted. Now being onboard in ZZZ for 3 hours; I expressed concerns about passenger onboard delays; and dispatch informed us not to worry as during a diversion the onboard delay maximum time is 4 hours. Dispatch also asked if we were close to being ready to get off the ground. After coordinating with ZZZ ATC for the earliest departure possible; we took off. After deplaning; our fas brought to our attention that 1:31 layover was showing on our schedules from our time in ZZZ. While in ZZZ; we did not have the opportunity to open the main cabin door as we were never given a jet bridge. Also; captain had twice asked dispatch to note our in and out times. Clearly; the out time was not noted in the system which led to the false layover time on our schedule. Also; due to this inaccurate out time; pilot scheduling was not up to date with our running flight time. During all of the conversations; part 117 flight limits were never brought to our attention. We never received an ACARS message indicating part 117 flight time concerns and I received no other indication of 117 limits - instead; I was being contacted via ACARS to try to work more the next day on minimum rest. During this long; and highly stressful trip it was clear that ZZZ did not have the facilities needed to properly handle the amount of company diverted aircraft. As pilots; we had inadequate support from operations. It was essential for proper in and out times to be entered for us as we were unable to open the aircraft door. Without the out time entered; our part 117 flight time clock was jeopardized. Also; while we were focused on doing anything and everything possible to help our passengers; we receivedno indication of upcoming flight time limits - instead; we were (finally) aided by dispatch in fueling coordination in order to leave; asked for a duty period extension; and contacted by scheduling for further flying assignments. I firmly believe that it would have taken longer to get to a gate in ZZZ than it did to take off; land; and taxi to a gate at destination. Captain and I were fit and safe for duty and did everything in our power to take care of our amazing passengers. Unfortunately this entire situation led to us inadvertently and unknowingly exceeding part 117 flight time limits.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A319 flight crew reported a diversion for weather that resulted in a four hour ground delay with no opportunity for the passengers to leave the aircraft. FAR 117 flight time limitations were inadvertently exceeded.

Narrative: Due to extended delays related to maintenance prior to starting; we departed an hour late. While operating the return flight; we were informed by ATC that weather had deteriorated significantly and that holding; and delayed arrival procedures were in effect. The Captain and I immediately began discussing our fuel and alternates. While holding over ZZZ1; we came to the conclusion that we did indeed need to divert. We informed dispatch via ACARS that we were interested in ZZZ and ZZZ2; with a preference for ZZZ2. Dispatch informed us that they preferred ZZZ since they had already coordinated with them our arrival; Therefore we diverted to ZZZ. Upon landing in ZZZ; we found the airport operations to be less than sufficient to handle the amount of large aircraft diversions. For example; ZZZ had no customs agents on property; only one operating fuel truck; and only two available jet bridges. Both of these jet bridges were occupied. With ATC coordination we were told to wait on a taxiway south of the terminal.While parked on the taxiway; The Captain spoke to Maintenance; Dispatch; ZZZ ATC as well as ZZZ Airport Operations to make every effort possible to secure a jet bridge. Captain also asked (twice) for dispatch to enter our IN time at ZZZ; and report an OUT time for the continuation of the flight. She made it very clear that we were not at a gate and the IN and OUT times should 1 minute apart. We were unable to enter the times ourselves as the trigger for the Airbus is the main cabin door opening and closing. Also during this time; I was in constant contact with ZZZ ATC; ZZZ Airport Operations; as well as received several messages from crew scheduling concerning added flying to my reserve schedule. After an hour of asking dispatch; ATC; and Operations for help; it became clear that we were not going to be able to secure a jet bridge for hours; if at all; While one of the airplanes on the jet bridge dealt with MX; the other aircraft on a jet bridge had a timed out crew with full passengers from an international flight that could not deplane because Customs was (still) not on airport property. Dispatch informed us to refuel on a remote pad and continue. After obtaining fuel; we received a request to extend our duty day via ACARS and we accepted. Now being onboard in ZZZ for 3 hours; I expressed concerns about passenger onboard delays; and dispatch informed us not to worry as during a diversion the onboard delay maximum time is 4 hours. Dispatch also asked if we were close to being ready to get off the ground. After coordinating with ZZZ ATC for the earliest departure possible; we took off. After deplaning; our FAs brought to our attention that 1:31 layover was showing on our schedules from our time in ZZZ. While in ZZZ; we did not have the opportunity to open the main cabin door as we were never given a jet bridge. Also; Captain had twice asked dispatch to note our IN and OUT times. Clearly; the OUT time was not noted in the system which led to the false layover time on our schedule. Also; due to this inaccurate OUT time; pilot scheduling was not up to date with our running flight time. During all of the conversations; part 117 flight limits were never brought to our attention. We never received an ACARS message indicating part 117 flight time concerns and I received no other indication of 117 limits - instead; I was being contacted via ACARS to try to work more the next day on minimum rest. During this long; and highly stressful trip it was clear that ZZZ did not have the facilities needed to properly handle the amount of company diverted aircraft. As pilots; we had inadequate support from Operations. It was essential for proper IN and OUT times to be entered for us as we were unable to open the aircraft door. Without the OUT time entered; our part 117 flight time clock was jeopardized. Also; while we were focused on doing anything and everything possible to help our passengers; we receivedno indication of upcoming flight time limits - instead; we were (finally) aided by dispatch in fueling coordination in order to leave; asked for a duty period extension; and contacted by scheduling for further flying assignments. I firmly believe that it would have taken longer to get to a gate in ZZZ than it did to take off; land; and taxi to a gate at destination. Captain and I were fit and safe for duty and did everything in our power to take care of our amazing passengers. Unfortunately this entire situation led to us inadvertently and unknowingly exceeding part 117 flight time limits.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.