What is the purpose of a communication handoff in air traffic control?

The purpose of a communication handoff in air traffic control is fundamentally about transferring responsibility for the flight from one air traffic controller to another. This process ensures that the incoming controller has all the necessary information to continue managing the aircraft safely and efficiently.

When a handoff occurs, the transferring controller provides relevant details about the flight, including its current position, altitude, and intentions, to the next controller. This seamless transfer is critical for maintaining continuous and safe air traffic management, especially as aircraft move through different airspace sectors that may be managed by different controllers.

While the other options touch on various aspects of air traffic control, they do not capture the specific essence of communication handoffs. Changing assigned altitudes, updating weather information, or providing a new flight plan can be part of a controller’s duties but are not the central purpose of a handoff. The handoff focuses specifically on the transition of control responsibility to ensure that aircraft are monitored and managed effectively throughout their flight.