Ground Control

Ground Control is the ATC position responsible for managing the movement of aircraft and vehicles on the airport's taxiways, ramp areas, and inactive runways. Ground Control's jurisdiction typically extends from the gate or parking position to the runway holding point (and from the runway exit to the gate on arrival).

Ground Control issues taxi clearances that specify the route an aircraft should follow to reach the runway or parking position. At complex airports, taxi clearances include specific taxiway designations, hold-short instructions, and may be accompanied by progressive taxi instructions for unfamiliar crews.

Ground Control operates on a dedicated VHF frequency (separate from Tower). Pilots contact Ground after pushback and engine start for taxi clearance, and again after landing and clearing the active runway. At some airports, a separate Ramp Control (often operated by the airline or airport authority rather than ATC) manages movements in the gate area.