What is the primary duty of Air Traffic Control (ATC)?

The primary duty of Air Traffic Control (ATC) is to prevent collisions between aircraft. This is a critical function as it ensures the safety of all aircraft operating in controlled airspace. ATC achieves this by providing pilots with timely information about their flight paths, altitude assignments, and traffic in their vicinity, coordinating the movements of aircraft in the air and on the ground.

While managing takeoff and landing schedules is an important aspect of ATC's responsibilities, it is a part of the broader duty of maintaining safe separation between aircraft. Providing weather updates to pilots is not the primary responsibility of ATC; weather services, though vital, are typically handled by specialized meteorological organizations. Monitoring aircraft maintenance records falls outside the purview of ATC, as that responsibility lies with the airlines and aircraft operators to ensure compliance with safety regulations and operational standards.