air traffic control

noun

: the process or system by which the movements of aircraft are monitored and directed by ground personnel communicating with pilots by radio

improving the technology used for air traffic control

also : the personnel who operate an air traffic control system

Pilots would still have to file flight plans, which could be modified by air traffic control if they posed any safety hazards.

—David R. Hinson

Examples of air traffic control in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Carlisle airport is uncontrolled airport, meaning there is no air traffic control tower or controllers on site. — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Roughly 5,890 runway incursions were reported at airports with air traffic control towers between January 2023 and June 2026, according to quarterly totals from the FAA’s runway incursion database. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026

But shortly after departing, pilots radioed in to air traffic control to alert them of an issue on board. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026

An Alaska Airlines flight preparing to depart Miami International Airport for Seattle reported a disturbance involving threats from customers Sunday evening, according to air traffic control audio. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for air traffic control

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole