When accepting a handoff, what is the responsibility of the receiving controller regarding restrictions?

When accepting a handoff, the receiving controller has the responsibility to comply with the restrictions issued by the transferring controller unless there is prior coordination that specifies otherwise. This means that the receiving controller must respect the limitations and conditions under which the handoff was made, ensuring a smooth transition of the aircraft's control.

Complying with the established restrictions helps maintain safety and operational consistency within the airspace. It ensures that the receiving controller is aware of any altitude, speed, or route changes that have been established for the flight and that these restrictions continue to be in effect as the flight is handed off to their control. Only if there is a clear and coordinated adjustment to those restrictions prior to or during the handoff can the receiving controller consider modifying them.

This adherence is crucial, as deviations without proper coordination could lead to conflicts with other aircraft, potentially compromising their safety and leading to operational errors.