EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy
In cruise back to IAH we heard a similar call sign; Flight ABG took our hand off to a new frequency. Our flight number was Flight ABC. The other aircraft had already switched so we were asked by Houston to contact them and ask them to return to frequency. We did and both flights were unaffected. This threat of far too similar flight numbers has been a growing problem and is directly attributable to company policy. While I understand the company's marketing department assigns blocks of flight numbers for us to use; they need to be aware that there are too similar flight numbers flying in the same geographical area and they are directly impacting safety. This isn't an isolated incident; it happens frequently. Going forward I am going to report every one of these events to attempt to get the attention of the Company and FAA; in an attempt to force the company to re-evaluate their flight number assignment procedures.
Air Carrier described a confused communications event with ATC; listing that the company practice of assigning similar four digit call signs within the same area at the same time is directly impacting safety.