Kuwait Ground [OKKK_GND]
Amendment History
| Revision | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Version 1 | 13AUG25 | Initial Publication |
Chapter 1. Position Overview
Kuwait Ground (GMC) is responsible for the movement of aircraft on the airfields aprons and taxiways. The GMC Controller will provide aircraft with pushback instructions when required. Departing Aircraft will then be taxied to the applicable runway holding point and handed off to the TWR Controller as early as possible and clear of any potential ground conflicts. Arriving aircraft will be taxied to a stand on an appropiate apron.
In the absence of the DLV Controller the GMC Controller will take on those roles and responsibilities.
Chapter 2. GEN | General Operating Procedures
2.1 Pushback Clearance
The GMC Controller is responsible for providing departing aircraft with a push back clearance. Prior to issuing a push back clearance the aircraft would have correctly set their assigned squawk code. Push back clearance must include the stand number of the aircraft being given clearance. This is method is to ensure other nearby aircraft are aware of the movement from the stand onto a live taxiway.
Example:
GMC Controller: "KAC343, Stand 75, push and start approved facing south on on Taxiway W1"
Once the push back clearance has been issued the GMC Controller should ensure the Departure List is updated accordingly to provide all controllers with additional situational awareness.
Pushback Clearances must only be issued when it is safe to do so and the area into which the aircraft has been cleared to push to is clear of all obstructions.
2.1.1 Conditional Pushback Clearance
In some cases you may have an inbound aircraft taxiing to a stand on the apron which passes behind the aircraft on stand requesting push back and start. In order to ensure a constant flow of traffic the GMC Controller can provide the aircraft requesting push back and start with a Conditional Pushback Clearance.
Example:
GMC Controller: "OMA647, behind the Jazeera Airbus A320 Neo passing from your right to left, Stand 4, push and start is approved facing south on Taxiway W17."
2.1.2 Simulataneous Pushback Operations
Simulataneous Pushback Operations can be conducted at Bahrain. The aim of this process is that once both aircraft have completed their pushback procedures, they will be be in position on the active taxiway with at least one stand between them. If aircraft are on adjacent stands and both requesting push back and start it is best practice to have each aircraft push in opposite directions to ensure no ground collision will take place.
2.2 Taxi Procedures
2.2.1 Departure Taxi Procedures
Once an aircraft has sucessfully completed their push back and start they will request taxi to the departing runway. It is the responsibility of the GMC Controller to provide that aircraft with a safe and efficent taxi instruction from the apron to the departure runway holding point.
2.2.1.1 33L Departure Configuration
Aircraft will be taxied out from their respective apron at the most convenient point and taxied to the holding point for RWY33L, full length. It is imperative the GMC Controller has complete situational awareness when taxiing aircraft in Kuwait as there are multiple aprons and terminals.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 4 will be instructed to taxi via W1 to holding point RWY33L.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 1 or Terminal 5 will be instructed to taxi via the appropiate Apron Exit point onto W1 or W14 followed W1.
- Aircraft taxiing from anywhere East of Terminal 5 shall be instructed to taxi via the appropiate Apron Exit point onto E9, followed by W14 and to hold short of Taxiway W1, they can then be given further instructions approaching W1.
- Aircraft taxiing from Cargo City Apron will be instructed to taxi to holding point M14 or M15 for crossing before being handed over to the TWR Controller, once returned to the GMC Controller they will be taxiied via W1 for holding point RWY33L.
Example 1:
GMC Controller: "JZR263, taxi to holding point RWY33L via W17, W14, and W1"
Example 2:
GMC Controller: "JZR263, taxi to holding point RWY33L via E10, E9, W14 hold short of taxiway W1"
Once approaching W1 and the traffic situation is clear
GMC Controller: "JZR263, continue taxi via W1 holding point RWY33L"
2.2.1.2 33R Departure Configuration
Aircraft will be taxied out from their respective apron at the most convenient point and taxied to the holding point for RWY33R, full length. It is imperative the GMC Controller has complete situational awareness when taxiing aircraft in Kuwait as there are multiple aprons and terminals.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 4 will be instructed to taxi via W1, W14, E9 to hold short of taxiway E1, then can then be given further instructions approaching E1.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 1 or Terminal 5 will be instructed to taxi via the appropiate Apron Exit point onto W14 or E9 followed by E1.
- Aircraft taxiing from anywhere East of Terminal 5 shall be instructed to taxi via E1 to holding point RWY33R.
- Aircraft taxiing from Cargo City Apron will be instructed to taxi to holding point M14 or M15 for crossing before being handed over to the TWR Controller, once returned to the GMC Controller they will be taxiied initially to hold short of E1, once approaching E1 they can be given further instructions to taxi to holding point RWY33R.
Example 1:
GMC Controller: "JZR263, taxi to holding point RWY33R via W17, E9 and E1"
Example 2:
GMC Controller: "KAC343, taxi to holding point RWY33R via W1, W14, E9 hold short of taxiway E1"
Once approaching E1 and the traffic situation is clear
GMC Controller: "KAC343, continue taxi via E1 holding point RWY33R"
2.2.1.3 15L Departure Configuration
Aircraft will be taxied out from their respective apron at the most convenient point and taxied to the holding point for RWY15L, full length. It is imperative the GMC Controller has complete situational awareness when taxiing aircraft in Kuwait as there are multiple aprons and terminals.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 4 will be instructed to taxi via W1, W14 and E9 for holding point Loop 2.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 1 or Terminal 5 will be instructed to taxi via the appropiate Apron Exit point onto W14 or E9 for holding Loop 2.
- Aircraft taxiing from anywhere East of Terminal 5 shall be instructed to taxi via E1 for either holding point Loop 1 or Loop 2.
- Aircraft taxiing from Cargo City Apron will be instructed to taxi to holding point M14 or M15 before being handed over to the TWR Controller, once returned to the GMC Controller they will be taxiied via W1, W14 and E9 for holding point Loop 2.
Example 1:
GMC Controller: "JZR263, taxi to holding point Loop 2 RWY15L via W17, and E9"
Example 2:
GMC Controller: "KAC343, taxi to holding point Loop 2 RWY15L via W1, W14, and E9"
2.2.1.4 15R Departure Configuration
Aircraft will be taxied out from their respective apron at the most convenient point and taxied to the holding point for RWY15R, full length. It is imperative the GMC Controller has complete situational awareness when taxiing aircraft in Kuwait as there are multiple aprons and terminals.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 4 will be instructed to taxi via W1 for holding point RWY15R.
- Aircraft taxiing from Terminal 1 or Terminal 5 will be instructed to taxi via the appropiate Apron Exit point onto W14 or W1, then given to taxi via W1 for the holding point RWY15R.
- Aircraft taxiing from anywhere East of Terminal 5 shall be instructed to taxi via E1, E9, W14 and to hold short of taxiway W1, once approaching W1 they can then be given further instructions to taxi to holding point RWY15R.
- Aircraft taxiing from Cargo City Apron will be instructed to taxi to holding point M15 for departure.
Example 1:
GMC Controller: "KAC343, taxi to holding point RWY15R via W1"
Example 2:
GMC Controller: "JZR263, taxi to holding point RWY15 via W17, W14, hold short of taxiway W1"
Once approaching W1 and the traffic situation is clear
GMC Controller: "JZR263, continue taxi via W1 holding point RWY15R"
2.2.2 Intersection Departures
Intersection Departures can be utilised when the pilot requests it specifically. The GMC Controller is not allowed to to instruct an intersection departure to a pilot without it being requested.
| Runway | Intersection |
|---|---|
| 33R | E2 |
| 33L | W2 |
| 15R | W5 |
There are no intersections departures available from RWY15L.
2.2.3 West Side Apron (Cargo City)
Aircraft parked on the Cargo City Apron will typically be required to cross the active runway for departure unless RWY15R is active for departures or RWY33L is active for arrivals. Aircraft should be taxiied to M14 or M15 for crossing then transferred to the TWR Controller for runway crossing. Once they have successfully crossed the runway they will be handed back the GMC Controller to recieve taxi instructions to the departure runway.
Example:
GMC Controller: "CMB540, taxi to holding point M15 via Q1, L6 and L, hold short RWY33L"
Once the aircraft has reached the designated holding point for runway crossing they will be handed over to the TWR Controller who will then slot them in appropiately to cross the runway
GMC Controller: "CMB540, Hold Short RWY33L M15, Contact Kuwait Tower 118.300 for crossing"
Once the TWR Controller has sucessfully got the aircraft across the active runway they will be handed back to the GMC Controller who will then taxi them to the appropiate runway holding point.
2.2.4 Arrival Taxi Procedures
| Runway | Preferred Vacate Point |
|---|---|
| 33R | Loop 2 |
| 33L | W5 |
| 15R | W2 |
| 15L | E2 |
2.2.4.1 RWY33R Arrival Configuration
Aircraft landing on RWY33R will be expected to vacate the runway at Loop 2, TWR will not immediately hand over the aircraft to the GMC Controller to prevent aircraft holding after vacating and potentially blocking the preferential exit point further leading to the runway being obstructed. Aircraft will initially be told to taxi onto taxiway 'E9' by the TWR Controller and then to contact the GMC Controller. It is vitally important that the GMC Controller ensures a stand has been allocated when the aircraft is on final approach so the TWR Controller can give the aircraft an initial taxi instruction.
Once the aircraft has been transferred to the GMC Controller by TWR it is then the responsibility of GMC to safely and efficently move the aircraft from the taxiway to his assigned stand taken into consideration the situation on the ground.
Example:
GMC Controller: "JZR166, Welcome to Kuwait, taxi via E9, W14, W19, W7, Stand 137."
2.2.4.2 RWY33L Arrival Configuration
Aircraft landing on RWY33L will be expected to vacate the runway at W5, TWR will not immediately hand over the aircraft to the GMC Controller to prevent aircraft holding after vacating and potentially blocking the preferential exit point further leading to the runway being obstructed. Aircraft will initially to be told taxi to right on taxiway W1 and hold short of either W14 or W8 by the TWR Controller and then contact the GMC Controller. It is vitally important that the GMC Controller ensures a stand has been allocated when the aircraft is on final approach so the TWR Controller can give the aircraft an initial taxi instruction.
Once the aircraft has been transferred to the GMC Controller by TWR it is then the responsibility of GMC to safely and efficently move the aircraft from the taxiway to his assigned stand taken into consideration the situation on the ground.
Example:
GMC Controller: "JZR166, Welcome to Kuwait, taxi via W14, W17, Stand B1."
2.2.4.3 RWY15R Arrival Configuration
Aircraft landing on RWY15R will be expected to vacate the runway at W2, TWR will not immediately hand over the aircraft to the GMC Controller to prevent aircraft holding after vacating and potentially blocking the preferential exit point further leading to the runway being obstructed. Aircraft will initially be told to turn left on W1 by the TWR Controller and then contact the GMC Controller.
Once the aircraft has been transferred to the GMC Controller by TWR it is then the responsibility of GMC to safely and efficently move the aircraft from the taxiway to his assigned stand taken into consideration the situation on the ground.
2.2.4.4 RWY15L Arrival Configuration
Aircraft landing on RWY15L will be expected to vacate the runway at E2, TWR will not immediately hand over the aircraft to the GMC Controller to prevent aircraft holding after vacating and potentially blocking the preferential exit point further leading to the runway being obstructed. Aircraft will initially be told to turn right on E1 by the TWR Controller and then contact the GMC Controller.
Once the aircraft has been transferred to the GMC Controller by TWR it is then the responsibility of GMC to safely and efficently move the aircraft from the taxiway to his assigned stand taken into consideration the situation on the ground.
2.2.5 Conditional Taxi Instructions
In some cases aircraft may require a Conditional Taxi Instruction in order to facilitate for other movements on the ground and to ensure the safe movement of aircraft.
2.2.5.1 Conditional Departure Taxi Instructions
If the taxi route for a departing aircraft is not clear you can give them a conditional clearance to stop at a certain point along their taxi route to ensure they remain clear of any conflict.
GMC Controller: "MSR621, taxi via W17 and W14 hold short of Taxiway W1, give way to the Kuwaiti Boeing 777 at W1."
Once the route has cleared then they can be given the remainder of their taxi instructions as per normal general operating procedures outlined in Chapter 2.2
2.2.5.2 Conditional Arrival Taxi Instructions
Like before, if an arriving aircraft does not have a clear route to their stand after vacating the runway a conditional clearance can be issued to ensure smooth flow of traffic in and out of the airfield. If issuing a conditional arrival taxi instruction you can provide the aircraft with their expected stand number.
GMC Controller: "KAC418, Expect Stand 72 taxi via E9, W14, hold short of Taxiway W1, give way to the company Airbus A320 Neo at W1."
2.3 Low Visibility Procedures (LVPs)
At Bahrain International Airport RWY12L and RWY30R are approved for CAT II operations in the event of LVPs.
Low Visibility Procedures will be declared when the RVR falls below 550m or visibility falls below 800m or ceiling below 200ft.
2.3.1 Low Visibility Procedures - Departures
During LVPs, intersection departures are not authorised for all runways.
2.3.2 Low Visibility Procedures - Arrivals
| Runway | Vacate Point |
|---|---|
| RWY15L | E2 / Loop 1 / Loop 2 |
| RWY15R | W2 / Loop 1 |
| RWY33R | Loop 1 / Loop 2 |
| RWY33L | W5 / Loop |
2.4 Stand Allocation
| Apron | Stand Numbers | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Western Apron (East) | B1-B2 / 1-5 | Jazeera / All Other Airlines |
| Western Apron (West) | 21 - 139 | Jazeera / All Other Airlines |
| Eastern Apron | 40 - 46 | Jazeera |
| GA Apron | G1 - G29B | Buisness Jets |
| Cargo City | 501 - 554 | DHX / QTR Cargo / Emirates Cargo / Cargolux / Atlas |
| Terminal 4 | 63 - 79 | Kuwait Airways |
| Amiri Terminal | R1 - R8 | Kuwait Amiri Flights |