If a potential conflict exists on a taxi route, what clearance should you issue to a taxiing aircraft?

• A. Hold short of the intersecting taxi path until the conflict is resolved.
• B. Continue taxiing as cleared.
• C. Stop in place and wait for further instruction.
• D. Return to gate.

Answer: (A)

When there’s a risk of two aircraft or movements occupying the same taxi path, you must stop the taxiing aircraft before the potential conflict and hold them there until the path is deconflicted. That’s why issuing a hold-short clearance for the intersecting taxi path is the correct action—it prevents entering the crossing while you resolve the conflict.

Continuing as cleared would permit the aircraft to move into the intersection with the conflicting path, risking a collision. Stopping in place and waiting for instruction could be too vague and delay resolution of the conflict. Returning to the gate isn’t needed for a taxiway conflict and wastes time.