Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
air-traffic control
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History
Images & Videos
air-traffic control Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport airport control tower Interior view of an airport traffic control tower at dusk. The airport traffic control tower manages takeoffs and all movement within the airport's terminal control area.
See how air traffic controllers at Frankfurt Airport, Germany manage the rush hour traffic in the skies
Discover
Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.
What Is the Emoluments Clause?
Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.
10 Great Sports Rivalries
Alpaca and Llama side by side
What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?
Big beaver gnawing on limb at river's edge
6 Animal Species that Mate for Life
Cathedrale St.Jean in Lyon, France has a 14th-century astronomical clock that shows religious feast days till the year 2019; Perpetual Calendar
Ten Days That Vanished: The Switch to the Gregorian Calendar
Dancers at a Cinco de Mayo festival at the Mission District, San Francisco, California. (Photo dated 2019.) holidays
Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?
air-traffic control
air-traffic control An air traffic control tower at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

air-traffic control

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: ATC, air traffic control
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History

News •

Air Traffic Control Problems Are Only the Latest Tap on the Airline Beat • May 17, 2025, 9:09 PM ET (New York Times)
Denver Air Traffic Control Hit by Radio Failure, Echoing Newark • May 16, 2025, 8:53 AM ET (Bloomberg.com)
Inside the multi-day meltdown at Newark airport • May 7, 2025, 2:33 AM ET (CNN)
Duffy outlines air traffic control overhaul • May 6, 2025, 2:42 AM ET (The Hill)

air-traffic control, the supervision of the movements of all aircraft, both in the air and on the ground, in the vicinity of an airport. See traffic control.