What is the primary purpose of air traffic control (ATC)?

The primary purpose of air traffic control (ATC) is to ensure the safe and orderly flow of air traffic. This involves directing aircraft in the sky and on the ground, providing instructions to pilots to maintain safe distances between aircraft, managing their ascent and descent, and coordinating takeoff and landing sequences at busy airports. ATC plays a crucial role in preventing collisions and ensuring that flights operate within designated airspace while adhering to safety regulations.

Managing airline schedules is a function of airline operations rather than ATC. While weather updates are important for flight safety, they are not the main responsibility of air traffic control, as pilots and airlines receive weather information from other sources. Conducting flight training is typically handled by flight schools and instructors, not by air traffic control. Thus, the key focus of ATC is maintaining a safe and orderly environment for all air traffic.