Risk of confusion between flights with similar names in flight operations

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has just sent a document to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation and airlines Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, Pacific, and Vietravel about implementing solutions to minimize the risk of confusion between flights with similar names.

According to statistics of Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, flights with similar names, operating in the same period of time, in the same area of responsibility of the air traffic control facility are shown as: Flight names with different airline names but the same or similar numbers, the same numbers but different locations, with repeated numbers (for example: HVN123 and BAV123; HVN171 and BAV171...; or flight names with the same airline but the same or similar numbers, numbers with similar pronunciations (for example: HVN7344 and HVN1344; HVN1351 and HVN1531...).

To ensure the safety of flight operations in Vietnam's airspace and minimize possible risks, the Civil Aviation Authority recommends that Vietnamese airlines proactively review flight planning and schedules (seasonal flight plans), not allowing flights with similar, easily confused flight numbers to operate at the same time and in the same control area; take measures to adjust and modify flight names for flights with similar names to minimize the risk of confusion and improve the ability to ensure flight safety.

At the same time, thoroughly instruct the flight crew to concentrate on listening, repeating or reporting fully and clearly to ensure proper implementation of the relevant instructions and instructions (especially fully repeating the flight call sign).

Upon receiving notification from the air traffic controller that there are flights with similar call signs, the flight crew of this flight must reconfirm the reminder from the air traffic controller, listen to prevent the risk of confusion, and temporarily change the call sign according to the instructions of the air traffic controller (if any).

In addition, the crew should be asked to pay special attention when the clearance has content that is significantly different from the flight plan and should be reconfirmed with the air traffic controller.

The Civil Aviation Authority also requested the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation to continue to disseminate, guide and thoroughly educate all air traffic controllers about risk mitigation measures.

Source