Skip to content

Landing & Taxi In

The Tower controller clears traffic for landing and manages the runway. After touchdown, Ground guides the aircraft to the parking position.

Preparation

  • Tower frequency – given by Approach at handoff or on the airport chart (10-9)
  • Ground frequency – found on the airport chart (10-9)
  • Airport chart (10-9C) – for taxi routing after landing
  • Gate or stand assignment – from airline operations, ACARS, or ATC

Landing Clearance

Tower typically issues the landing clearance on final approach. Wind information is included.

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, wind 260 degrees 10 knots, runway 26L, cleared to land."

Pilot: "Cleared to land runway 26L, Lufthansa 123."

If the runway is still occupied, Tower may delay the clearance:

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, continue approach, runway 26L."

Pilot: "Continue approach runway 26L, Lufthansa 123."

The landing clearance follows once the runway is clear.

Go-Around

If the approach is unstable, the runway is not clear, or conditions are unsafe — initiate a go-around. No permission is needed.

Pilot: "Lufthansa 123, going around."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, roger, climb 5000 feet, turn right heading 260, contact Approach on 120.1."

Pilot: "Climb 5000, right heading 260, Approach 120.1, Lufthansa 123."

Follow the published missed approach procedure or ATC instructions. A go-around is always the right decision when in doubt.

Vacating the Runway

After touchdown, exit the runway at the next available taxiway. Tower may specify a direction:

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, vacate right, contact Ground on 121.7."

Pilot: "Vacate right, Ground 121.7, Lufthansa 123."

The runway is considered vacated when the entire aircraft has crossed the holding point markings.

Taxi to Gate

Contact Ground after vacating the runway.

Pilot: "München Ground, Lufthansa 123, runway 26L vacated, request taxi to gate."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, taxi to stand E34 via A, A5."

Pilot: "Taxi to stand E34 via A, A5, Lufthansa 123."

Read back the taxi route. The same rules apply as for taxi out — hold short instructions are safety-critical.

Parking and Shutdown

At the assigned stand, follow the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) if available for precise positioning. Set the parking brake and complete the shutdown checklist.

No further ATC communication is required after reaching the stand.

Important

  • Read back the runway number with every landing clearance
  • Vacate the runway promptly — do not stop on the runway after landing
  • A go-around is never wrong — better once too often than once too few
  • Confirm vacated — the entire aircraft must be past the holding point markings

Flight Complete

The full ATC communication sequence from gate to gate:

  1. Delivery — IFR clearance
  2. Apron — Pushback
  3. Ground — Taxi to runway
  4. Tower — Takeoff
  5. Departure — Climb on SID
  6. Center — En route cruise
  7. Approach — Descent and approach
  8. Tower — Landing
  9. Ground — Taxi to stand