72601 – Air traffic controllers and related occupations

Lead statement

Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports.

Main duties

• Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references
• Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
• Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
• Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
• Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways.
• Analyze environmental conditions and assess aircraft for load and fuel capacity and other factors to determine flight routes
• Brief flight crew before takeoff on weather conditions, status of navigational facilities and airports while on route
• Co-sign flight authorization with aircraft captain
• Monitor progress of flight and communicate as required with aircraft during flight
• Delay or cancel flights if conditions warrant
• Prepare and maintain flight plans, flight logs and other reports.
• Provide pre-flight information concerning current and forecast weather conditions, radio frequencies, terrain, airports and related data to assist pilots in preparation of flight plans
• Check flight plans for completeness and accuracy and forward flight plans to air traffic services facility
• Respond to radio calls from aircraft preparing for takeoff or landing and supply information such as weather conditions, wind speed and direction and presence of local air traffic
• Support air traffic control operations by relaying radio requests for flight clearances, arrival and departure information and position reports
• Alert airport emergency services of aircraft experiencing difficulties and initiate communication searches when aircraft become overdue
• Observe, record and report weather conditions at airports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• A basic radio telephone operator's licence is required.
• Air traffic controllers and flight service specialists require completion of a NAV Canada training program which includes structured in-class and on-the-job training.
• Air traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence.
• Flight dispatchers may require experience in air traffic control or flight operations and may require a private pilot's licence.

Example job titles

air traffic coordinator · air traffic control assistant · air traffic controller (ATC) · tower controller - air traffic · flight dispatcher · airline dispatcher · flight dispatch assistant · flight operations officer · flight service specialist (FSS)

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.