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Clearance to Holding Fix

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Consider operational factors such as length of delay, holding airspace limitations, navigational aids, altitude, meteorological conditions when necessary to clear an aircraft to a fix other than the destination airport. Issue the following:

Clearance limit (if any part of the route beyond a clearance limit differs from the last routing cleared, issue the route the pilot can expect beyond the clearance limit).
Phraseology

EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE VIA (routing).

Example

“Expect further clearance via direct Stillwater V-O-R, Victor Two Twenty‐six SNAPY intersection, direct Newark.”
Holding instructions.
1. Holding instructions may be eliminated when you inform the pilot that no delay is expected.
2. When the assigned procedure or route being flown includes a charted pattern, you may omit all holding instructions except the charted holding direction and the statement “as published.” Always issue complete holding instructions when the pilot requests them.
  Note
  
  The most generally used holding patterns are depicted on U.S. Government or commercially produced low/high altitude en route, area, and STAR Charts.
  
  Phraseology
  
  CLEARED TO (fix), HOLD (direction), AS PUBLISHED,
  or
  CLEARED TO (fix), NO DELAY EXPECTED.
EFC. Do not specify this item if no delay is expected.
1. When additional holding is expected at any other fix in your facility's area, state the fix and your best estimate of the additional delay. When more than one fix is involved, state the total additional en route delay (omit specific fixes).
  Note
  
  Additional delay information is not used to determine pilot action in the event of two‐way communications failure. Pilots are expected to predicate their actions solely on the provisions of 14 CFR section 91.185.
  
  Phraseology
  
  EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE (time),
  and if required,
  ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL (time in minutes/hours) MINUTE/HOUR DELAY AT (fix),
  or
  ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL (time in minutes/hours) MINUTE/HOUR EN ROUTE DELAY.
  Example
  1. “Expect further clearance one niner two zero, anticipate additional three zero minute delay at SWEET.”
  2. “Expect further clearance one five one zero, anticipate additional three zero minute en route delay.”
2. When additional holding is expected in an approach control area, state the total additional terminal delay.
  Phraseology
  
  EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE (time),
  and if required,
  ANTICIPATE ADDITIONAL (time in minutes/hours) MINUTE/HOUR TERMINAL DELAY.
3. TERMINAL. When terminal delays exist or are expected, inform the appropriate center or approach control facility so that the information can be forwarded to arrival aircraft.
4. When delay is expected, issue items in subparagraphs a and b at least 5 minutes before the aircraft is estimated to reach the clearance limit. If the traffic situation requires holding an aircraft that is less than 5 minutes from the holding fix, issue these items immediately.
  Note
  1. The AIM indicates that pilots should start speed reduction when 3 minutes or less from the holding fix. The additional 2 minutes contained in the 5‐minute requirement are necessary to compensate for different pilot/controller ETAS at the holding fix, minor differences in clock times, and provision for sufficient planning and reaction times.
  2. When holding is necessary, the phrase “delay indefinite” should be used when an accurate estimate of the delay time and the reason for the delay cannot immediately be determined; i.e., disabled aircraft on the runway, terminal or center sector saturation, weather below landing minimums, etc. In any event, every attempt should be made to provide the pilot with the best possible estimate of his/her delay time and the reason for the delay. Controllers/supervisors should consult, as appropriate, with personnel (other sectors, weather forecasters, the airport management, other facilities, etc.) who can best provide this information.
  Phraseology
  
  DELAY INDEFINITE, (reason if known), EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE (time). (After determining the reason for the delay, advise the pilot as soon as possible.)
  
  Example
  
  “Cleared to DREWE, hold west, as published, expect further clearance via direct Sidney V-O-R one three one five, anticipate additional two zero minute delay at WOODY.”
  “Cleared to ASTON, hold west on Victor two twenty‐five, seven mile leg, left turns, expect further clearance one niner two zero, anticipate additional one five minute terminal delay.”
  “Cleared to WAYNE, no delay expected.”
  “Cleared to WALLY, hold north, as published, delay indefinite, snow removal in progress, expect further clearance one one three zero.”

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