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

Investigators reviewed the audio between the pilots and the air traffic control tower and between the tower and the emergency vehicle. —Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Due to that lapse in funding, some trainees dropped out of the air traffic control academy, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Nine seconds before the collision, the air traffic control tower ordered the truck to stop, Doug Brazy, the NTSB’s senior aviation investigator, said at Tuesday's news conference. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

An alarm heard in the background of the air traffic control audio was likely from the system and would have alerted the tower to the potential collision, Former FAA air traffic control chief Mike McCormick said. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 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