Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a ground-based aviation service that ensures the safe and efficient movement of aircraft before takeoff, during flight, and after landing.
It is responsible for maintaining safe distances between planes, avoiding collisions, and providing flight path guidance.
ATC grants takeoff and landing clearances, monitors in-flight positions, issues weather updates, and coordinates emergency responses such as mayday landings.
ATC operations are divided into three units:
Tower Control (handles runway and ground operations),
Approach Control (manages arrivals and departures near airports), and
Area Control (ACC) (monitors aircraft between airports in high-altitude airspace).
In India, ATC is managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and covers major zones like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
India is also upgrading its system through GAGAN, a satellite-based navigation system enhancing ATC accuracy and reliability.
Overall, ATC is the invisible guardian of the skies, ensuring aviation safety around the clock
