EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Company Policy; Human Factors
While working the Inner Low position (Final Controller) the Outer Controller (Feeder position) handed off to me Air Carrier XXXX however Air Carrier XXXY took the frequency change. Air Carrier XXXY checked in with me and I was expecting Air Carrier XXXX. On initial contact with me I over emphasized the [last digit] in the call sign after the pilot checked in calling himself Air Carrier XXXY. I issued Air Carrier XXXX a decent clearance over emphasizing the [last digit] in the call sign again. Air Carrier XXXY read back the decent clearance and I restated Air Carrier XXXX. At that time the outer controller told me that Air Carrier XXXX was still on his frequency so looked at all of his traffic to see if any aircraft took an incorrect decent clearance and saw that he had a Air Carrier XXXY and in fact that aircraft was descending. There were no traffic conflictions and I pointed out the traffic to the CLE departure position since the aircraft would be entering his airspace. The point out was approved and I kept Air Carrier XXXY on my frequency till he was switched to the Tower on final. Continue to work with the airlines to remove similar sounding call signs. Also for me to not assume that over emphasis is enough to make sure the right aircraft received the correct clearance.
CLE Controller described an airspace incursion when an aircraft initiated a descent issued to a same company aircraft with a similar sounding four digit flight number.