Air Traffic Controller Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of an Air Traffic Controller includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide information to pilots, such as weather updates, runway closures, and other critical information
  • Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air, using radar, computers, or visual references
  • Control all ground traffic at airports, including baggage vehicles and airport workers
  • Alert airport response staff, in the event of an aircraft emergency
  • Issue landing and takeoff instructions to pilots
  • Manage communications by transferring control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accepting control of arriving flights

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Air Traffic Controller duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Air Traffic Controller roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.