air-traffic control

American  

[air-traf-ik] / ˈɛərˌtræf ɪk /

noun

1. a government service that facilitates the safe and orderly movement of aircraft within and between airports by receiving and processing data from radar and devices that monitor local weather conditions and by maintaining radio contact with pilots.

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air-traffic control British  

noun

1. an organization that determines the altitude, speed, and direction at which planes fly in a given area, giving instructions to pilots by radio

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Other Word Forms

• air-traffic controller
  noun

Etymology

Origin of air-traffic control

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The FAA said United’s expansion will stress the Chicago airport’s runway, terminal and air-traffic control systems.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Some air-traffic control facilities have faced staffing shortages, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said LaGuardia is relatively well-staffed with 33 certified controllers, which is four shy of its target.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Parsons’ stock slid after losing a bid to update America’s air-traffic control system.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025

Privately held Peraton won the bid for the air-traffic control system modernization, which included $12.5 billion in funding.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025

The announcement suggests only a fraction of the air-traffic control workforce stayed fully on the job during the shutdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025