A321 flight crew reported similar sounding call signs led to the confusion of being cleared for takeoff while another aircraft was lining up for departure on the same runway.

Date: 2022-06 · Aircraft: A321 · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|conflict-ground-conflict|critical

Synopsis

A321 flight crew reported similar sounding call signs led to the confusion of being cleared for takeoff while another aircraft was lining up for departure on the same runway.

Narrative

On Date; Aircraft X; we taxied out to Runway XR via X taxiway. A similar sounding call sign (Aircraft Y) was taxing and holding short of Runway X. Tower cleared us to line up and hold on XR and my First Officer acknowledged the clearance. Upon checking final after moving approximately 10 ft. we noticed a heavy on short final. We did not taxi anymore until the heavy landed. Shortly after that; the Tower Controller called both of us (Aircraft X & Aircraft Y) we believe realizing his mistake to clarify the clearance to line up and wait on XR and X. We held short to allow the heavy to land and then Tower once again cleared us on to line up and wait on XR. He clarified with Aircraft Y his clearance to takeoff as well on Runway X. Aircraft Y was cleared for takeoff while we were lined up and holding. There was no incursion into XR on our part but believe the Tower Controller got us mixed up. In our opinion we questioned controller but the most important fact is I always verify correct runway for takeoff and check final approach before taxing onto hold even with takeoff clearance.

Second reporter narrative

[Report narrative contained no additional information.]

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.