3. Ground Movement Control ("Hamad Ground")
3.1 General provisions
The Ground Movement Controller (GMC) is responsible for managing aircraft movements on all aerodrome movement areas except for runways and their associated taxiways. Departing aircraft are given pushback instructions and instructions to taxi to the runway holding point. Arriving aircraft are assigned a stand and instructed to taxi as appropriate.
3.2 Departure pushback procedures
3.2.1 General pushback procedures
When aircraft have been handed off from GMP, they shall be fully ready for pushback, and have reached their TOBT. Assuming no obstructions, they shall be instructed to push back immediately. If an aircraft is cleared for push and start but does not begin pushing within 2-5 minutes, the pushback clearance is canceled, and a new TOBT is assigned.
Aircraft requesting push that are not squawking their assigned transponder code shall be instructed to hold position and squawk the correct code. They must not be allowed to move until doing so.
Pushback direction is based primarily on aircraft location and runway configuration.
All code F aircraft (A380/B747-8) are not permitted to be pushed onto taxiway W (between taxiway H and stand A4), taxiway E (between taxiway D and stand B2), or taxiway Y.
A pushback clearance must be a variant of those provided in 3.2.2 and include an instruction to “FACE NORTH”, “FACE EAST", “FACE SOUTH" or “FACE WEST” as appropriate with the taxiway to push onto.
Example
Pilot: "Hamad Ground, QTR1, on stand A8 request pushback."
Controller: "QTR1, Hamad Ground, pushback approved, face West on W."
Pilot: "Pushback approved, facing West on W, QTR1."
Conditional pushback instructions may also be issued if an aircraft is taxiing behind another waiting for pushback.
Example
Pilot: "Hamad Ground, FDB12, on stand G3C request pushback."
Controller: "FDB12, Hamad Ground, behind the company 737 passing left to right, pushback approved, face South on E2."
Pilot: "After the company 737 passes from left to right, pushback approved, facing South on E2, FDB12."
3.2.2 Pushback types
3.2.2.1 Standard pushback
This type will normally have the aircraft stop abeam the adjacent stand. The phraseology for this type of pushback is identical to the pushback phraseology as provided in 3.2.1.
3.2.2.2 Short pushback
A short pushback instruction shall require the aircraft to complete the pushback abeam the current stand such that the adjacent stand will not be blocked.
Example
Pilot: "Hamad Ground, IBE0392, on stand H10 request pushback."
Controller: "IBE0392, Hamad Ground, short pushback approved, face south on J to finish abeam stand H10."
Pilot: "Short pushback approved, facing west on J to finish abeam stand H10, IBE0392."
3.2.2.3 Long pushback
A long pushback instruction shall require aircraft to complete the pushback operation two stands away from where the pushback was commenced. This manoeuvre may be used when aircraft are vacating a stand to be used by another aircraft that is taxiing in.
Example
Pilot: "Hamad Ground, QTR1184, on stand A7 request pushback."
Controller: "QTR1184, Hamad Ground, long pushback approved, face west on W1 to finish abeam stand A3."
Pilot: "Long pushback approved, facing west on W1 to finish abeam stand A3, QTR1184."
3.2.3 Simultaneous pushback operations
Simultaneous pushbacks may be permitted from adjacent stands provided aircraft are instructed to manoeuvre in accordance with 3.2.2 such that on completion of both aircraft’s pushback operation, they will be separated on the taxiway by two aircraft stands.
3.2.4 Pushback Operations
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A | Aircraft face West onto taxiway W and W1. Stand A11: face North or South depending on departure runway. Occasionally pushed onto W2 facing West. |
| Concourse B | Aircraft face East onto taxiway E and E1. Stand B10: face North or South depending on departure runway. Occasionally pushed onto E2 facing East. |
| Concourse C | Stands C1-C8: push back facing South onto E1 or W1. Stands C9-C12: push back facing North onto E4 or W4. Occasionally pushed onto E2/W2 (South) or E3/W3 (North). |
| Concourse D | Aircraft face North onto W4. Occasionally pushed onto W3 facing North. |
| Concourse E | Aircraft face North onto E4. Occasionally pushed onto E3 facing North. |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft face East or West depending on departure runway onto N. |
| Remote Transfer H | Stands H1-H2: push back facing West onto W2. Stand H3C: push back facing South onto W2. Stands H4-H6: push back facing North onto W3. Stands H7-H10: push back North or South onto J. Occasionally pushed onto W1 (South/West) or W4 (North). |
| Remote Transfer G | Stands G1-G2: push back facing East onto E2. Stand G3C: push back facing South onto E2. Stands G4-G6: push back facing North onto E3. Stands G7-G10: push back North or South onto C. Occasionally pushed onto E1 (South/East) or E4 (North). |
| Apron Cargo | Aircraft face North or South depending on departure runway onto F. |
| Apron V | Stands V1-V7: face North or South onto V. Stands V8-V12: push back North or South onto C. |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft face North or South depending on departure runway onto C or Q. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft face North or South depending on departure runway onto K. Stands 551-564: face West onto Y. |
| Apron 6 | Departures from runway 34L: face South onto S2 or S4. Departures from runway 34R: face North. Departures from runways 16L or 16R: face North onto S2 or S4. |
3.3 Departure taxi procedures
3.3.1 General departure taxi procedures
Aircraft should be assigned the most suitable taxi route for their designated departure runway.
Code F aircraft (A380/B747-8) are not permitted to taxi onto taxiway W (between taxiway H and stand A4), taxiway E (between taxiway D and stand B2), or taxiway Y.
Info
Where aircraft are taxied to runway holding points, transfer of control to AIR shall be made early enough such that the aircraft is not required to stop its taxi.
Example
Pilot: "QTR3B, request taxi."
Controller: "QTR3B, taxi via W2, K, holding point L, runway 34L."
Pilot: "Taxi via W2, K, holding point L, runway 34L, QTR3B."
To deconflict traffic, and to reduce the length of taxi clearances, intermediate holding points shall be used wherever possible.
Example
Pilot: "QTR98K, request taxi."
Controller: "QTR98K, taxi via W2, hold short J."
Pilot: "Taxi via W2, hold short J, QTR98K."
3.3.2 Runway 16L departure taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft on taxiway W: taxi via H or W to join J, R, and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway J: taxi via R and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Aircraft on W1, W2, W3, W4: taxi via J, R, and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), E, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft on taxiways E, E1, E2, E3, E4: taxi to join B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway D: taxi to join E1 and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft on taxiway N: taxi to join R and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Apron Cargo | Aircraft on taxiway F: taxi to join B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Apron V | Aircraft on taxiway V: taxi to join B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft on taxiway Q: taxi to join C or B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft on taxiway K: taxi to join R and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway Y: taxi to join K, R, and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft on taxiways S2 or S3: taxi to join R1, R, and B to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. |
3.3.3 Runway 16R departure taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft on taxiway W: taxi via K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway J: taxi via K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. | |
| Aircraft on taxiways W1, W2, W3, W4: taxi via K to reach holding points A10, A11, A12. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), E, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft on taxiways E, E1, E2, E3, E4: taxi to join C, S, and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway D: taxi to join E1, C, S, and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. | |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join S, and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. | |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft on taxiway N: taxi to join S and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Apron Cargo | Aircraft on taxiway F: taxi to join C, S, and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Apron V | Aircraft on taxiway V: taxi to join C, S, and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join S and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. | |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft on taxiway Q: taxi to join F or B, then continue onto S and K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft on taxiway K: taxi to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
| Aircraft on taxiway Y: taxi to join K to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft on taxiways S2 or S3: taxi to join R1 and M to reach holding points L10, L11, L12. |
3.3.4 Runway 34L departure taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft on taxiway W: taxi via L or L1. |
| Aircraft on taxiway J: taxi via L2, L1, or L. | |
| Aircraft on taxiways W1, W2, W3, W4: taxi via J or K and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), E, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft on taxiways E, E1, E2, E3, E4: taxi to join C, S, and K and proceed to holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Aircraft on taxiway D: taxi to join C, S, and K and proceed to holding points L2, L1, or L. | |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join S, K, and proceed to holding points L2, L1, or L. | |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft on taxiway N: taxi to join S, K, and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Apron Cargo | Aircraft on taxiway F: taxi to join C, S, K, and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Apron V | Aircraft on taxiway V: taxi to join C, S, K, and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join S, K, and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. | |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft on taxiway C or Q: taxi to join F, C, S, K, and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft on taxiway K: taxi to join holding points L2, L1, or L. |
| Aircraft on taxiway Y: taxi to join K and continue to holding points L2, L1, or L. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft on taxiway S2: taxi to join S3, P, M, and continue to holding points M1, M2, or M3. |
| Aircraft on taxiway S4: taxi to join P, M, and continue to holding points M1, M2, or M3. |
3.3.5 Runway 34R departure taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft on taxiway W: taxi via H, then proceed through either W1 or W2, and continue on J, R, and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Aircraft on taxiway J: taxi via R and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Aircraft on taxiways W1, W2, W3, or W4: taxi via J, R, and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), E, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft on taxiways E, E1, E2, E3, E4: taxi to join either B or C to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Aircraft on taxiway D: taxi to join B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft on taxiway N: taxi to join R, B, and continue to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Apron Cargo | Aircraft on taxiway F: taxi to join B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Apron V | Aircraft on taxiway V: taxi to join C to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft on taxiway C: taxi to join B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Aircraft on taxiway Q: taxi to join B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft on taxiway K: taxi to join R and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
| Aircraft on taxiway Y: taxi to join K, R, and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft on taxiways S2 and/or S4: taxi to join R1, cross runway 34L, and join R and B to reach holding points A2, A1, or A. |
3.4 Arrival taxi procedures
3.4.1 General arrival taxi procedures
Arriving aircraft should not be handed off by AIR immediately upon landing. Instead, they must receive initial taxi instructions to taxiways B, K, or M to maintain traffic flow.
Aircraft must avoid stopping on rapid exit taxiways and should proceed as follows, unless otherwise directed by the tower:
- Vacating 16L: Continue taxiing southbound via taxiway B.
- Vacating 16R: Continue southbound via taxiway K or M.
- Vacating 16R with parking on Apron 5: Expect a northbound turn onto taxiway K (HIRO does not apply).
- Vacating 34L: Continue northbound via taxiway M unless instructed to vacate to the east (HIRO does not apply when vacating east).
- Vacating 34R: Continue northbound via taxiway B.
Therefore, GMC should assign an arrival stand to aircraft as soon as they appear on the arrival list, as this facilitates the assignment of the arrival runway for terminal controllers.
Once the aircraft is handed off to GMC, they can be directed to their assigned stand.
3.4.2 Runway 16L arrival taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join S, K, and proceed to W1, W2, W3, W4, or H. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C, S, K, and proceed to W1, W2, W3, W4, or H. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), D, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft vacating via A8, A7, and A3: Taxi to join B and proceed to E1, E2, E3, E4, or D. |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join S and proceed to T1 or T4 to join N. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C, S and proceed to T1 or T4 to join N. | |
| Cargo Apron | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join B. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C. | |
| Apron V | Aircraft vacating via A8, A7, and A3: Taxi to join B to join C or D. |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join B and then Q. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C and then Q. | |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join S and K. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C, S and K. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft vacating via A8 and A7: Taxi to join S and S1 to join S2 or S4. |
| Aircraft vacating via A3: Taxi to join C, S and S1 to join S2 or S4. |
3.4.3 Runway 16R arrival taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K, R, B, and proceed to join E1, E2, E3, E4, or D. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, R, B, and proceed to join E1, E2, E3, E4, or D. | |
| Concourse B, C (East), D, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft vacating via L8, L5, and L3: Taxi to join K and proceed to join W1, W2, W3, W4, or H. |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K, R and proceed via T1 or T4 to join N. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, R, and proceed via T1 or T4 to join N. | |
| Cargo Apron | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K, R, and C. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, R, and C. | |
| Apron V | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K, R, and B to join C or D. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, K, R, and B to join C or D. | |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K, R, and C or B. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, R, and C or B. | |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft vacating via L8 and L5: Taxi to join K. |
| Aircraft vacating via L3: Taxi to join J, R, and K. | |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft vacating via M9 and M7: Taxi to join M, S1, to proceed to S2 or S4. |
| Aircraft vacating via M5: Taxi to join M and proceed to either S1 or P8 to join either S2 or S4. |
3.4.4 Runway 34L arrival taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K and then proceed to W1, W2, W3, W4, or H. |
| Concourse B, C (East), D, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K, R, B, and then proceed to E1, E2, E3, E4, or D. |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K, R, and then T1 or T2 to join N. |
| Cargo Apron | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K, R, and then C or B. |
| Apron V | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K, R, and B, and then proceed to C or D. |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K, R, and B to join Q. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft vacating via L4, L6, and L9 shall taxi to join K. |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft vacating via M6, M8, and M10 shall taxi to join M, S1, and then proceed to S2 or S4. |
3.4.5 Runway 34R arrival taxi procedures
| Concourse/Apron | Instruction Details |
|---|---|
| Concourse A, C (West), D, Remote Transfer H | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B, S, and proceed to W1, W2, W3, W4, or H. |
| Concourse B, C (East), D, Remote Transfer G | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B and proceed to E1, E2, E3, E4, or D. |
| Central Concourse | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B, S, and then T1 or T2 to join N. |
| Cargo Apron | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B or C. |
| Apron V | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B and then proceed to C or D. |
| Apron 4 | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B to join Q. |
| Apron 5 | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B, S, and K. |
| Apron 6 | Aircraft vacating via A4, A5, and A9 shall taxi to join B, S, and S2, and then proceed to S2 or S4. |
3.4.6 Stand allocation procedure
| Apron/Concourse | Stand Allocation | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Concourse A | Stands A1 to A11 | International Operators, QTR |
| Concourse B | Stands B1 to B10 | International Operators, QTR |
| Concourse C | Stands C1 to C13 | International Operators, QTR |
| Concourse D | Stands D1 and D3 | International Operators, QTR |
| Concourse E | Stands E1 and E3 | International Operators, QTR |
| Central Concourse | Stands 301 to 309 | QTR |
| Remote Transfer G | Stands H1 to H10 | Low Cost Carriers, International Operators, QTR |
| Remote Transfer H | Stands G1 to G10 | Low Cost Carriers, International Operators, QTR |
| Cargo Apron | Stands F1 to F16 | Cargo, QTR (Overflow) |
| Apron V | Stands V1 to V12 | Government & State Aircraft |
| Apron 4 | Stands 425 to 429 | QTR |
| Apron 5 | Stands 501 to 519 & Stands 551 to 564 | QTR |
| Apron 6 | Stands 601 to 637 | QTR |
3.4.10 Stand restrictions
| Location | Aircraft Code Handling |
|---|---|
| Concourse A to E (including Central Concourse and Remote Transfer Aprons) | All stands can handle aircraft up to code E. Stands with designators of L or R are limited to code C. |
| Cargo Apron | All stands can handle aircraft up to code E. |
| Apron V | All stands can handle aircraft up to code E. Stands with designators of L or R are limited to code C. |
| Apron 4 | All stands can handle aircraft up to code C. |
| Apron 5 | All stands can handle aircraft up to code E. Stands with designators of L or R are limited to code C. Stands 551 to 564 are limited to code C. |
| Apron 6 | All stands can handle aircraft up to code E. Stands with designators of L or R are limited to code C. |
| Specific Stands | Stands A3, A5, B1, B3, C12, C13, V1, V2, 604, 607, 611, and 614 can handle aircraft up to code F. H1 and G1 can handle aircraft up to code F with certain handling limitations. |
3.5 Low visibility operations (LVO)
3.5.1 LVO taxi routes
When LVO is in effect, aircraft should avoid crossing the runways whenever possible. All taxiways are approved for LVO operations, and there are no taxiway restrictions.
During LVO, only designated CAT II/III holding points shall be used (4.6.2).
3.6 Designated areas of responsibility
3.6.1 GMC positions
Doha-Hamad Airport operates three GMC positions: GMC 1, GMC 2, and GMC 3.
3.6.1.1 GMC 1 Responsibilities
GMC 1 manages aircraft movements in the following areas and their associated taxiways:
- Concourse B
- Concourse C (East Side)
- Concourse E
- Central Concourse (shared with GMC 2)
- Remote Transfer G
- Cargo Apron
- Maintenance Apron
- Apron 4
3.6.1.2 GMC 2 Responsibilities
GMC 2 manages aircraft movements in the following areas and their associated taxiways:
- Concourse A
- Concourse C (West Side)
- Concourse D
- Central Concourse (shared with GMC 1)
- Remote Transfer H1
- Apron 5
3.6.1.3 GMC 3 Responsibilities
GMC 3 manages aircraft movements in the following area and its associated taxiways: - Apron 6
3.6.2 Handoff procedures
When transferring control between controllers, aircraft must not be cleared beyond the current controller’s designated area of responsibility unless prior coordination has been completed with the next controller. Hold short instructions may be issued to meet this requirement.
3.6.3 Splitting procedure
When a single GMC controller is online, they shall manage all surface movement areas from the GMC 1 position.
Unless otherwise authorized by Arabian vACC staff, GMP (Hamad Delivery) must be online before three GMC (Hamad Ground) positions can be opened.
If GMP is not online, GMC shall assume the responsibilities of the lower controller.