Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers assist pilots by providing information concerning the height, speed and course. They assist pilots in order to facilitate a safe take off and landing of aircrafts. They are responsible for maintaining a secure and orderly movement of aircraft along major air routes up in the sky and around airports. They control air traffic in and within vicinity of airports according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and to minimise delays arising from traffic congestion.
Check yourself in a minute: air traffic controller
Rate 5 of the 30 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
assist during take off and landing
use meteorological information
give instructions to staff
interpret visual literacy
operate airport control tower
About air traffic controller
As an air traffic controller, you are responsible for the safe and orderly movement of aircraft both in the sky and on the ground around airports. Your critical role involves providing pilots with essential information regarding altitude, speed, course, and weather conditions to facilitate safe takeoffs and landings while maintaining separation between aircraft and preventing collisions. You will work from airport control towers or en route centers, using sophisticated radar systems, communication equipment, and visual observation to track aircraft movements and coordinate their paths. Your decisions directly impact the safety of hundreds of thousands of passengers and crew members daily, making precision, situational awareness, and calm decision-making under pressure absolutely essential.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include following strict air traffic control procedures and policies, interpreting visual literacy on radar screens and flight data displays, communicating with pilots on designated radio frequencies, conducting navigational calculations, and coordinating with other controllers to manage traffic flow efficiently. You must master pre-flight procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations, understand aviation law and regulations, possess knowledge of electrical systems and electronics, and be able to respond immediately to emergencies or unexpected situations. In Poland's expanding aviation sector, particularly around major airports in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław, air traffic controllers are highly sought after, especially as European airspace coordination becomes increasingly complex and air traffic volumes continue to grow.
Career prospects are excellent with strong job security, competitive compensation, and opportunities for advancement to supervisory and management positions within air navigation service providers. Professional development is ongoing, with recurrent training, certifications, and specialization options in approach control, en route control, or tower operations. The role demands lifelong learning as technologies evolve and procedures are continuously updated to reflect international safety standards.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a air traffic controller.
Air Traffic Guidance and Control
- Provide pilots with information on altitude, speed, course, and weather conditions
- Issue landing and takeoff clearances following established procedures
- Maintain safe separation between aircraft using radar and visual observation
- Coordinate aircraft routing and sequencing to prevent congestion
- Monitor and control aircraft movement in airport vicinity and airspace sectors
Communication and Coordination
- Communicate with pilots using standardized radio procedures and phraseology
- Coordinate with other controllers, ground personnel, and adjacent airspace facilities
- Provide emergency assistance and guidance during abnormal situations
- Log aircraft movements, clearances, and relevant flight information
Radar and Display System Management
- Interpret 3D radar displays and flight data information in real-time
- Monitor multiple aircraft positions simultaneously across assigned sector
- Detect and respond to radar blips, conflicts, or unusual patterns
- Maintain awareness of traffic flow and adjust display settings as needed
Navigation and Flight Management
- Conduct navigational calculations for aircraft positioning and routing
- Assist with pre-flight procedures and verify IFR flight requirements
- Provide flight plan amendments and route changes as needed
- Ensure aircraft follow assigned flight levels and designated waypoints
Safety and Emergency Response
- Prevent collisions by maintaining strict separation standards
- Respond promptly to emergency situations and provide necessary assistance
- Ensure compliance with aviation safety regulations and air traffic control procedures
- Maintain situational awareness and stay alert throughout shift
Key skills in this occupation
Essential skills and knowledge areas from the European ESCO classification, 30 in total. The ones most specific to this occupation come first.
- assist during take off and landing
Assist captain in take-off and landing procedures by operating communication equipment.
practical skill - use meteorological information
Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions.
practical skill - give instructions to staff
Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques.
practical skill - interpret visual literacy
Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word.
practical skill - operate airport control tower
Operate the airport control tower, which is crucial to the safe taxiing, take-off and landing of aircraft.
practical skill - carry out navigational calculations
Solve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.
practical skillmost at risk from AI - have spatial awareness
Be aware of your position and the space around you.
practical skill - stay alert
Stay focused and alert at all times; react quickly in the case of unexpected events.
practical skill
Check which of these skills you already have ↑
Knowledge (9)
pre-flight procedures for IFR flights
electrical systems used in transportation
electronics
air transport law
air traffic control operations
celestial navigation
aircraft flight control systems
common aviation safety regulations
electronic communication
Practical skills (13)
read 3D displays
assist in the conducting of flight checks
apply airport standards and regulations
handle stressful situations in the work place
monitor aviation meteorology
operate radar equipment
comply with checklists
execute working instructions
analyse work-related written reports
use of air traffic services document
use different communication channels
ensure public safety and security
apply technical communication skills
Optional skills (4) — show
perform multiple tasks at the same time
act reliably
have computer literacy
tolerate stress
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does an air traffic controller do?
Air traffic controllers assist pilots by providing information concerning the height, speed and course. They assist pilots in order to facilitate a safe take off and landing of aircrafts. They are responsible for maintaining a secure and orderly movement of aircraft along major air routes up in the sky and around airports. They control air traffic in and within vicinity of airports according to established procedures and policies to prevent collisions and to minimise delays arising from traffic congestion.
What skills does an air traffic controller need?
An air traffic controller needs 30 essential skills, including pre-flight procedures for IFR flights, electrical systems used in transportation, electronics, air transport law, air traffic control operations.
Will AI replace air traffic controller jobs?
The AI disruption score for air traffic controller is 49/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, electronic communication, carry out navigational calculations. Most resilient: tolerate stress, act reliably, assist in the conducting of flight checks.
AI Replacement Risk
Quick Facts
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