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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1324

Air traffic manager

An air traffic manager is a person who coordinates ground control planning, aircraft technical handling and customer service, working towards the best possible use of the resources available.

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Rate 5 of the 14 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

use modern electronic navigational aids

perform risk analysis

manage aeronautical information management services

perform data analysis

train staff in navigational requirements

About air traffic manager

In air traffic management, the manager plans how traffic is spread across control positions, when an aircraft is handled, and how shifts are staffed so that capacity matches demand. Data analysis covers delays, sector loading and handling times, and resources are allocated on that basis.

The manager also handles safety, quality and risk. The air traffic control manager carries out risk analysis for changes in procedures and in equipment, applies the common aviation safety regulations, and sees that every change is preceded by an assessment of its effects. Comprehensive aviation system updates are supervised, and staff are trained on navigation requirements when new equipment arrives.

The manager uses modern electronic navigation aids and benchmarks the organisation's results against those of other air navigation service providers: punctuality, en-route delay, unit cost. Market research on airport and navigation services is carried out as well. Air navigation services are provided by designated national providers under the supervision of a civil aviation authority.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a air traffic manager.

1

Air Traffic Operations and Ground Control Management

  • Coordinate ground control operations to ensure safe and efficient aircraft movement
  • Manage air traffic flow to minimize congestion and optimize runway usage
  • Implement celestial navigation and modern electronic navigational aids for accurate guidance
2

Safety Management and Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with common aviation safety regulations and international standards
  • Perform comprehensive risk analysis to identify and mitigate potential hazards
  • Monitor safety metrics and develop action plans to improve safety performance
  • Ensure safety in international aviation through coordination with other service providers
3

Performance Analysis and System Upgrades

  • Perform data analysis to evaluate air navigation service performance metrics
  • Compare performance with other air navigation service providers to identify best practices
  • Plan and implement airspace system block upgrades to enhance operational capabilities
4

Resource Management and Customer Service

  • Manage aircraft maintenance scheduling to ensure optimal fleet availability
  • Handle customer requirements and expectations related to flight operations
  • Perform market research to understand competitive landscape and service improvements

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (14)

air traffic managementair traffic managementThoroughly understand the major activities in air traffic management, such as air traffic control, air traffic flow management, and aeronautic information services.airspace system block upgradesairspace system block upgradesAn Airspace System Block Upgrade (ASBU) designates a set of measures that can be implemented to improve the functionality of the ATM system.celestial navigationcelestial navigationThe science of celestial navigation and position fixing by using specialised measuring equipment.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.use modern electronic navigational aidsuse modern electronic navigational aidsUse modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.manage aeronautical information management servicesmanage aeronautical information management servicesUndertake complex tasks and perform medium and high level database, desktop and GIS-related activities in order to develop quality aeronautical data sets and publications.perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.follow airport safety proceduresfollow airport safety proceduresComply with airport safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of passengers.train staff in navigational requirementstrain staff in navigational requirementsPlan and conduct ground training activities and airborne instruction; apply navigational methods to mission requirements.manage air navigation servicesmanage air navigation servicesManage air navigation services; oversee financial planning and follow evolutions in aviation technology.ensure safety in international aviationensure safety in international aviationCommunicate with national and international agencies to ensure maximum efficiency and safety in the field of aviation.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.
Optional (13) — show
airport environmental regulationsairport environmental regulationsThe official regulations for environmental standards in airports as dictated by national codes for planning airport facilities and related developments. These include regulatory aspects which govern n...aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...coordinate flight schedulescoordinate flight schedulesManage and review flight schedules and aircraft operations before and after departure.provide assistance to airport usersprovide assistance to airport usersSupport and assist various types of airport customers.test ground system performancetest ground system performanceDevelop test strategies for complex software and hardware products; include troubleshooting and system support; calculate system performance.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).work in an aviation teamwork in an aviation teamWork confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety,...plan maintenance activitiesplan maintenance activitiesPlan and organise the process aimed at preserving equipment or systems in good working condition by inspecting the installation, resolving malfunctions, replacing worn parts and performing other maint...apply airport standards and regulationsapply airport standards and regulationsKnow and apply the accepted standards and regulations for European airports. Apply knowledge to enforce airport rules, regulations, and the Airport Safety Plan.monitor aviation meteorologymonitor aviation meteorologyMonitor and interpret the information provided by weather stations to anticipate conditions that may affect airports and flights.inspect aircraft documentationinspect aircraft documentationInspect documentation of aircraft related to maintenance and airworthiness.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

aeronautical information service officer4 shared essential skillsair traffic instructor4 shared essential skillscommercial pilot4 shared essential skillsprivate pilot4 shared essential skillsaeronautical information specialist3 shared essential skillsairline transport pilot3 shared essential skillshelicopter pilot3 shared essential skillspricing specialist3 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does an air traffic manager do?

Air traffic managers coordinate the planning of ground control, the maintenance of the aircrafts, and the handling of customers. They strive for the most efficient use of resources in directing the aircraft. They manage safety, quality, and risks in everyday work. They also plan and compare performance with other air navigation service providers.

What skills does an air traffic manager need?

An air traffic manager needs 14 essential skills, including air traffic management, airspace system block upgrades, celestial navigation, common aviation safety regulations, use modern electronic navigational aids.

Will AI replace air traffic manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for air traffic manager is 48/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: airport environmental regulations, perform data analysis, manage aeronautical information management services. Most resilient: work in an aviation team, airspace system block upgrades, celestial navigation.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills14

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