What is the benefit of clearance delivery at busy airports?

Clearance delivery serves a crucial function at busy airports by enabling efficient communication and management of air traffic. By utilizing a dedicated frequency for clearance delivery, the system helps to reduce congestion on the ground control frequency, which is vital for managing taxiing aircraft.

When pilots receive their IFR clearances from clearance delivery rather than ground control, it helps streamline interactions and ensures that ground controllers can focus on managing the flow of traffic on the taxiways. This separation of duties is particularly beneficial in high-density environments where multiple aircraft are maneuvering in close proximity, as it enhances overall operational efficiency and reduces the potential for miscommunication.

While receiving updated airport conditions, assignment of departure slots, and receiving IFR clearances after taxiing are important aspects of airport operations, the primary advantage of clearance delivery is specifically tied to alleviating congestion and ensuring smoother communications among various controllers and pilots at busy airports.