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5.2 Departure Coordination

5.2.1 General

Departure coordination ensures that aircraft departing the aerodrome are safely integrated into the en-route or approach environment.

The Tower Controller shall coordinate all departures with the appropriate unit where required and ensure that departing aircraft do not conflict with arriving or other traffic.

5.2.2 Objectives

The Tower Controller shall aim to:

  • Ensure safe integration of departures into controlled airspace
  • Prevent conflicts with arriving aircraft
  • Maintain efficient runway utilisation
  • Comply with coordination procedures and local SOPs

5.2.3 When Coordination is Required

Coordination shall be conducted when:

  • An Approach or Radar controller is online
  • Departures enter controlled airspace immediately after take-off
  • Local procedures require a departure release

Where no higher unit is online, the Tower Controller shall assume responsibility for separation beyond the aerodrome as defined by local procedures.

5.2.4 Departure Release

A departure release is approval from the next controlling unit to allow an aircraft to depart.

The Tower Controller shall:

  • Request release prior to issuing take-off clearance where required
  • Provide relevant information (callsign, runway, departure route or SID)
  • Await explicit approval before issuing take-off clearance

The Tower Controller shall not issue a take-off clearance without a valid release where one is required.

Example Coordination:

TWR → APP: Request release, GFA123, runway 27, departure SID.  
APP → TWR: GFA123 released.

5.2.5 After Departure

Following departure, the Tower Controller shall:

  • Monitor the aircraft’s initial climb and track
  • Ensure separation from other aircraft
  • Transfer the aircraft to the next unit at the appropriate time
  • Maintain awareness of all departing and circuit traffic

Where required, the controller shall issue initial instructions in accordance with coordination:

GFA123, climb 3000 feet, contact Bahrain Radar 119.7.

5.2.6 Transfer of Control

Transfer of control shall be conducted in a timely and coordinated manner.

The Tower Controller shall:

  • Transfer aircraft before leaving the area of responsibility
  • Issue the correct frequency
  • Ensure the transfer does not create frequency congestion

Responsibility shall transfer when:

  • Two-way communication is established with the receiving unit, or
  • As defined by local procedures

5.2.7 Coordination Failures

If coordination cannot be established, the Tower Controller shall:

  • Withhold take-off clearance if a release is required
  • Hold aircraft at the holding point
  • Re-establish coordination before proceeding

If the aircraft is already airborne, the controller shall:

  • Maintain separation using conservative control measures
  • Protect the aircraft from conflicting traffic
  • Coordinate as soon as practicable

5.2.8 Key Principle

Effective departure coordination shall be:

  • Clear
  • Accurate
  • Timely
  • Confirmed

The Tower Controller shall:

  • Coordinate early
  • Avoid assumptions
  • Confirm all critical information
  • Maintain awareness of traffic across all units

Failure in departure coordination may result in:

  • Loss of separation
  • Traffic conflicts
  • Inefficient operations