Skip to content

Jeddah Ground [OEJN_X_GND]

Covering

This section details all the necessary Standard Operating Procedures for Ground Operations in King Abdulaziz International Airport (OEJN)


1. General Provisions

The Jeddah Ground manages aircraft movements on aerodrome areas, excluding runways and their associated taxiways. Departing aircraft receive pushback and taxi instructions to the runway holding point, while arriving aircraft are assigned a stand and given taxi instructions.


2. Designated Areas of Responsiblity

King Abdulaziz International Airport (OEJN) features three primary Ground Movement Control (SMC) positions, namely SMC W, SMC E and SMC C. The responsibilities and areas of control for each position are outlined as follows: Loading

2.1 SMC W [Jeddah Ground West]

Jeddah Ground West covers western side of the aerodrome which includes the following aprons and its assoicasted taxiways:

  • Apron 8 [Royal Apron]
  • Apron 7 [Hajj Apron]
  • Apron G [General Aviation Apron]
  • Apron 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 [Old Terminal, International]
  • Apron 13

Bandbox Position

Jeddah Ground West [OEJN_1_GND] is the Bandbox Position for ground operations at King Abdulaziz International Airport. This means that when other Ground Movement Control (SMC) positions are offline, OEJN_1_GND is responsible for controlling all aprons and taxiways.

Loading

Figure 2.1.1 - Jeddah Ground West AOR

2.2 SMC E [Jeddah Ground East]

Jeddah Ground East [OEJN_E_GND] covers eastern side of the aerodrome which includes the following aprons and its assoicasted taxiways:

  • Apron A,C [Terminal 1]
  • Apron 12 [Military Apron]

Loading

Figure 2.1.2 - Jeddah Ground East AOR

2.3 SMC C [Jeddah Ground Center]

Jeddah Ground Center [OEJN_C_GND] covers central part of the aerodrome which includes the following aprons and its assoicasted taxiways:

  • Apron B [Terminal 1]
  • Apron 9 [Cargo Apron]
  • Apron 6 [Hajj Apron]
  • Apron 14 [Royal Hanger]
  • Apron 11 [Hanger]

Loading

Figure 2.1.3 - Jeddah Ground Center AOR

2.4 Standard Connection Hierarchy

Controllers must log in the following order to maintain realizm and follow SOPs:

  • SMC W [OEJN_W_GND]
  • GMP [OEJN_DEL]
  • SMC E [OEJN_E_GND]
  • RMP E [OEJN_E_RMP]
  • SMC C [OEJN_C_GND]
  • RMP N [OEJN_N_RMP]

This hierarchy of connection must always be followed unless ATS staff explictly permit you to do otherwise.

2.5 Splitting Positions

If SMC W and SMC E are online without SMC C, SMC W must cover the west side of the aerodrome while SMC E must cover the east side of the aerodrome (Split at Runway 34C).

Other then that, refer to the figures above to find the designated areas of responsiblity when all controllers are online.


3. Procedures

The below procedures are considered as standard and no coordination is required to employ them, except where explicitly required.

Caution

Should a situation arise that does not match any of the below cases, coordinate an arrangement with the affected agencies

3.1 Push-back Procedures

Aircraft transferred from the Ground Movement Planner (GMP) should be fully prepared for pushback and have reached their Target Off-Block Time (TOBT). If there are no obstructions, they will be instructed to push back immediately.

However, if an aircraft requesting pushback is not using the correct transponder code, they must be instructed to squawk the correct code before moving.

Aircraft are issued pushback clearances by the SMC controlling the respective apron that the aircraft is parking at.

The pushback direction is based primarily on aircraft location, runway configuration and the apron's flow direction.

3.1.1 Apron Flow Direction

The apron's flow direction can be determined by examining the taxiway diagrams outlined in Section 3.2.6 of this aerodrome's GND SOP.

By looking at the entry and exit taxiways of the apron, it is very obvious what the direction that all traffic should face.

Apron(s) 34s DDRO/SDRO 16s DDRO/SDRO
Apron A Southbound Northbound
Apron B Southbound Southbound
Apron C Westbound Westbound
Aprons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Southbound Northbound
Apron 7 Southbound Northbound

Table 3.1.1 - Jeddah Aprons Flow Direction

3.1.2 Colored Taxilines

The King Abdulaziz International Airport (OEJN) utilizes colored taxilines in Terminal 1 (Apron B and A) to facilitate efficient and quick ground movement taxi/pushback operations in large aprons.

Colors Taxiways Maximum Aircraft Code
Blue KB, LB Code C (Aircrafts with a wingspan less then 36m)
Orange KC, LC Code C (Aircrafts with a wingspan less then 36m)

Table 3.2.2 - Colored Taxilines (Aprons B and C)

Tip

To remember the colors, remember that taxiways KB and LB are blue since they end with a B. While LA and KA ending with A are the main taxiways that are yellow.

Loading

Figure 3.2.4 - Colored Taxilines (Aprons B and C)

3.1.2.1 Pushback on the Colored Lines

Pushback on the colored lines should be given in the following phrasesolgy:

SMC: SVA123, Push & Start approved, face south on the blue line.

Do note

For LA and KA, the taxiway names must be said. Also, if need be the taxiway names of the colored lines can be used aswell for instructions.

Be careful!!

Controllers must be careful and vigilant regarding pushbacks on the colored lines and also pay attention to the aircraft sizes.

3.1.3 Push-Back Types

3.1.3.1 Standard Push-back

This is the default type of push-back which will normally have the aircraft stop abeam the adjacent stand.

Phrasesolgy:

Pilot: SVA123, Stand C3, request pushback.

SMC: SVA123, Push & Start Approved, Face West on WA.

Be helpful!

If you wish to be helpful towards the pilots, you may give them the local QNH. This is not mandatory as the pilot acknowledged the latest ATIS which contains the QNH!

3.1.3.2 Short Push-back

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.

Phrasesolgy:

Pilot: SVA123, Stand C3, requesting pushback.

SMC: SVA123, Short Pushback Approved, Face West on WA.

3.1.3.3 Long Push-back

A long pushback instruction shall require aircraft to complete the pushback operation more then two stands away from where the pushback was commenced. This manoeuvre may be used when an aircraft is vacating a stand to be used by another aircraft that is taxing in.

Phrasesolgy:

Pilot: SVA123, Stand C3, request pushback.

SMC: SVA123, Long Pushback Approved, Face West on WA.

Be Specific!

If you desire to provide precise instructions regarding the end point of the pushback, you can use the following phraseology to instruct the aircraft to halt at a specific position:

SMC: SVA123, Long Pushback Approved, Face North on LA, Finish Abeam stand XX.

or if you wish the aircraft keeps a taxiway clear

SMC: SVA123, Long Pushback Approved, Face North on LA, Stay Clear of Taxiway XX.

3.1.3.4 Conditional Push-back

In certain situations, conditional pushback instructions may be given when there is an aircraft taxiing behind another aircraft that is waiting for pushback. This ensures safe coordination and efficient movement on the taxiway. This type of pushback is always prefered to be used when applicable as it saves radio time and eases the controller's job.

An example of such an instruction is as follows:

Pilot: SVA123, Stand C3, request pushback.

SMC: SVA123, Behind the Qatari B777 passing from your right to left, push & start approved, face east on WA. Behind.

Airline

When giving the clearance, the "airline" should be mentioned and not "callsign".

For example:

SMC: SVA123, Behind the Britsh Airways (~~Speedbird~~) B777 passing from your right to left, push & start approved, face east on WA. Behind.


In addition, if both aircraft involved in the conditional pushback instruction belong to the same airline, it is common to specify the relationship by saying "Behind the Company B777".

Do note.

The traffic is only mandated to say "Behind" once. The controller is mandated to say it twice to ensure the instruction is clear.

3.1.3.5 Simultaneous pushback operations

Simultaneous pushbacks from neighboring stands may be allowed if aircraft are directed using the pushback types described in section 3.1. The aim is to ensure that once both aircraft have completed their pushback procedures, they will be positioned on the taxiway with one stand between them.


3.2 Taxi Procedures

3.2.1 Departure Taxi Procedures

3.2.1.1 34s DDRO Departure Taxi Procedures
Apron Departure Runway Holding Point(s) Apron Exit Taxiway(s) Taxi via Handoff to Tower
Apron A Runway 34R M1/M2 L1/L2/L3 ME/MF Immediate
Apron B Ruwway 34C H1/H2 K1/K2/K3 HE/HF Immediate
Apron C Runway 34C H1/H2 W1/W2 W, H Passing by HB
Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 Runway 34C G1/G2 N/A U, G Passing GB
Apron 6 Runway 34C G1/G2 E E, S, G Passing GB
Apron 7 Runway 34C G1/G2 D5 D5, C, S, G Passing GB
3.2.1.2 34s SDRO Departure Taxi Procedures
Apron Departure Runway Holding Point(s) Apron Exit Taxiway(s) Taxi via Handoff to Tower
Apron A Runway 34C H1/H2 L1/L2/L3 ME/MF, M, W, H Immediate
Apron B Ruwway 34C H1/H2 K1/K2/K3 HE/HF Immediate
Apron C Runway 34C H1/H2 W1/W2 W, H Passing by HB
Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 Runway 34C G1/G2 N/A U, G Passing GB
Apron 6 Runway 34C G1/G2 E E, S, G Passing GB
Apron 7 Runway 34C G1/G2 D5 D5, C, S, G Passing GB
3.2.1.3 16s DDRO Departure Taxi Procedures
Apron Departure Runway Holding Point(s) Apron Exit Taxiway(s) Taxi via Handoff to Tower
Apron A Runway 16L M8/M9 L3/L4 L, S, M Turing on M
Apron B Ruwway 16C H7 K1/K2/K3 HE/HF, H Passing R
Apron C Runway 16C H7 W1/W2 W, H Passing by R
Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 Runway 16C G6 N/A T, G Passing R
Apron 6 Runway 16C G6 E E, S, G Passing R
Apron 7 Runway 16C G6 B7/D6 B, S, G Passing R
3.2.1.4 16s SDRO Departure Taxi Procedures
Apron Departure Runway Holding Point(s) Apron Exit Taxiway(s) Taxi via Handoff to Tower
Apron A Runway 16C H7 L3/L4 L, R, H Turing on H
Apron B Ruwway 16C H7 K1/K2/K3 HE/HF, H Passing R
Apron C Runway 16C H7 W1/W2 W, H Passing by R
Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 Runway 16C G6 N/A T, G Passing R
Apron 6 Runway 16C G6 E E, S, G Passing R
Apron 7 Runway 16C G6 B7/D6 B, S, G Passing R

3.2.3 Stand Allocation Procedure

Stands are assigned by the SAUControllerPack in the Euroscope, but controllers should preferably have a basic idea of stand assignments.

Aprons Airlines
Apron A Saudi Airlines
Apron B Legacy Gulf Airlines (SVA, UAE, ETD etc)
Apron C Low cost and major international airlines (KNE,FAD,KAC,THY)
Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 International
Aprons 6, 7 Hajj
Apron 9 Cargo
Apron 11 Hanger (Cargo Overfill)
Apron 12 Military
Apron 8 Royal
Apron G General Aviation

Table 3.2.4 - Stand Allocation Procedure


3.2.4 Arrival Taxi Routes [ATRs]

Arrival Taxi Routes (ATRs) are short pre-defined initial taxi paths for traffic that are designed to maintain a smooth flow of traffic after aircraft vacate the runway. These routes are established to prevent traffic congestion around the RETs and to optimize the tower's efficiency by avoiding the need to provide initial taxiway instructions. Instead, the tower instructs the aircraft to follow one of the predetermined ATRs based on the assigned parking stand by the Ground (GND) controller.

This allows for a smooth and immediate transfer of traffic to the appropriate ground controller.

Do Note

The Tower controller is responsible for assigning the Arrival Taxi Route (ATR) to aircraft. However, it is essential for the Ground controller to be familiar with these routes in order to anticipate when transfers from the Tower will occur and to follow the correct handoff procedure.

By being familiar with the ATRs, the Ground controller can anticipate the aircraft's movements and facilitate effective communication and coordination during the handoff process between the Tower and Ground controllers.

It also the ground controller's responsiblity to beware of these ATRs and be cautious when clearing other aircrafts in the path of the ATRs/

3.2.4.1 34 Arrival Taxi Routes
Arrival Taxi Route Runway Taxi Instructions Handoff
M4X 34R M, MA, L Hold Short of V AIR E to SMC E
M6X 34R M, MA, L Hold Short of V AIR E to SMC E
M7X 34R M, S, L Hold Short of MA AIR E to SMC E
M7O 34R M, R Hold Short of J AIR E to SMC C
B3X 34L B Hold Short of B5 AIR W to SMC W
B5X 34L D5, D3-W Hold Short of B5 AIR W to SMC W
B5O 34L B Hold Short of D6 AIR W to SMC W

Table 3.2.5 - 34 Arrival Taxi Routes

Caution

All Traffic Movements on M must give way to traffic vacating runway 34R/16L.

3.2.4.2 16 Arrival Taxi Routes
Arrival Taxi Route Runway Taxi Instructions Handoff
M5X 16L M Hold Short of MB AIR E to SMC E
M3X 16L M Hold Short of MD AIR E to SMC E
B4X 16R B Hold Short of R AIR W to SMC W
B2X 16R B Hold Short of B1 AIR W to SMC W
B2O 16R B, T, C Hold Short of S AIR W to SMC W

Table 3.2.6 - 16 Arrival Taxi Routes

Caution

All Traffic Movements on B must give way to traffic vacating runway 34L/16R.

3.2.4.3 Diagram of Arrival Taxi Routes

Loading

Figure 3.2.1 - Arrival Taxi Routes Diagram


3.2.5 Arrival Taxi Procedures

3.2.5.1 General Arrival Taxi Procedures

SMC W should promptly assign a stand to an aircraft as soon as it appears on the arrival list using the stand assigner in the sectorfile . This enables the Tower controller to clear the aircraft to the appropriate vacating point, allowing them to follow the Arrival Taxi Procedures outlined below. It also allows the Tower controller to assign the correct Arrival Taxi Route (ATR) to the aircraft once it has vacated the runway.

Upon vacating the runway, the Tower controller will instruct the aircraft to follow the designated ATR and provide the correct ground frequency for communication. Subsequently, the Ground controller is responsible for providing a taxi route that aligns with the prescribed taxiroutes mentioned below.

3.2.5.2 34s DDRO/SDRO Arrival Taxi Procedures
Type Taxi to Vacate via Taxi via Initial Taxi By TWR
Saudi Apron A M6 [34R] MA, L, L5/L4 MA, L, Hold Short of V
Legacy Apron C M6 [34R] MA, L, W, W4/W3 MA, L, Hold Short of V
Cargo Apron 9 B5 [34L] B, U, F B Hold Short of U
International Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 B5 [34L] D3, C/T N/A
Hajj Aprons 6,7 B5 [34L] D3 [Apron 7] / D3, C, S, F [Apron 6] N/A
Royal Apron 8 A5 [34L] A N/A
Low Cost Apron B M7 [34R] M, R, K, K5/K4 M Hold Short of R
3.2.5.3 16s DDRO/SDRO Arrival Taxi Procedures
Type Taxi to Vacate via Taxi via Initial Taxi By TWR
Saudi Apron A M3 [16L] M, L3/L2/L1 M Hold Short of L3
Legacy Apron C M5 [16L] W, W4/W3 W Hold Short of L
Cargo Apron 9 B2 [16R] B, U , F B Hold Short of U
International Aprons 1,2,3,4,5 B2 [16R] B, U , F B Hold Short of U
Hajj Aprons 6,7 B4 [16R] B, C, D3 [Apron 7] / B, S, E [Apron 6] B Hold Short of R
Royal Apron 8 A2 [16R] A N/A
Low Cost Apron B M5 [16L] W, K K5/K4 W Hold Short of L

3.2.6 Taxi Diagrams

3.2.6.1 Legend
Departures Flow

Loading

Arrivals Flow

Loading

Royal Arrivals Flow

Loading

Hajj Arrivals Flow

Loading

Cargo Arrivals Flow

Loading

3.2.6.2 34's DDRO

Loading

3.2.6.3 34's SDRO

Loading

3.2.6.4 16's DDRO

Loading

3.2.6.5 16's SDRO

Loading