A319
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Total 12460
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure
Received the downlinked flight plan and TPS (Takeoff Performance System) to the FMS with Runway XXR as the expected runway for departure. I believe the original ATIS had Runway XXR listed for departure also. We completed our cockpit preflight duties and I briefed the expected taxi route to XXR noting that XXL approach would be crossed. Pushback; engine start and initial taxi were normal. We were sent to 3 separate ground control frequencies during the taxi out. On the final frequency we were told to hold short of Taxiway XX while the airport picked up some chunks of pavement that had broken free. I was looking at the approach end of XXL and XXR and thought I saw planes landing on XXR not XXL. This was what I expected to see with a XXR departure. I didn't observe any landing operations on XXL during our taxi time. There were no aircraft ahead of us on the taxi route to XXL/R. The final ground controller cleared us to taxi to Runway XXR and instructed us to go to Tower. I confirmed the runway by my own personal flow of listening to the runway we are instructed to taxi to by listening first and then looking at the FMS flight plan to ensure we have the correct runway inserted. The FO (First Officer) read back the taxi clearance emphasizing Runway XXR and switched to Tower. As we made the left turn and changed frequency the Tower said 'hold short of the runway'. The FO read back 'Hold short of Runway XXR.' The Tower did not correct our reply. I crossed XXL and held short of the XXR ILS hold line; set the parking brake. The first indication that there was a problem was about a minute later the Tower told a flight to go around because there was an aircraft on the runway. As we were short of the ILS line I was wondering what airplane. As I looked at the FO I saw landing lights in the right rear window lined up for Runway XXL and going around. The Tower then said we were on the runway. My FO replied that we were holding short of XXR as cleared. After about 30 seconds the Tower cleared us to Line up and wait on XXR. I expected a phone number to call; but after about a minute the Tower asked if we could depart on XXR. We said yes and were cleared for takeoff. Nothing more was said from ATC.The Ground controller may have misspoke and meant XXL; said XXR and didn't listen to our read back; and Tower controllers did not listen to our read back of the clearance we had received from Ground when he cleared us to hold short and didn't specify holding short of which runway.I will never cross a runway again without multiple confirmations that it is clear to cross; even if it's closed. I will also question what runway to hold short if a controller doesn't respond with the clearance I get while taxiing from Ground when switched to Tower.
Taxiing for departure; we were given instructions to taxi to Runway XXR. I repeated those instructions for XXR to both Ground controllers. The [second] controller instructed us to hold short of Taxiway XX on Taxiway XY; while a ground crew cleared debris from Taxiway XY ahead of us. Once they cleared the taxiway; Ground had us switch to Tower. The Tower controller instructed us to continue on XY and hold short. I read back to continue and hold short of XXR. Taxiway XY crosses XXL then makes a right turn. Shortly after crossing XXL there is an ILS CAT 1 hold short line; which is where we stopped. The Tower controller instructs an inbound aircraft to go around; and asks our position; stating that he shows us on the runway. CA (Captain) responded that we were holding short of XXR; as instructed. Tower controller says that XXL is in use; and CA (Captain) responds that each controller directed us to XXR. Tower instructed us to line up and wait on XXR. He then asked if we can take off on XXR; and cleared us for takeoff.I believe the Tower controller's instructions were incomplete. I don't recall him including the runway number in his hold short instruction; just to continue on XY and hold short. I read back to hold short of XXR. Since this is the runway we were expecting; and the Tower controller did not correct me; we had no reason to question the runway in use. There were also no departures or arrivals during the time we held at XX or switched to the Tower that would have indicated use of Runway XXL.Verify all runway crossings; especially if the instruction is unclear.
A319 flight crew reported a runway incursion due to unclear ATC instructions.