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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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72601.01 – Air traffic controllers

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

Overview

Example job titles

  • Air traffic control assistant
  • Air traffic controller (ATC)
  • Air traffic coordinator
  • Tower controller - air traffic

Core competencies

  • Decision Making and Problem Solving to swiftly analyze complex, high-pressure situations, assess multiple variables such as weather, aircraft positioning and flight paths
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to continuously monitor and assess radar, communication systems and navigation equipment, quickly identifying malfunctions or deviations in aircraft position and making timely decisions to prevent potential conflicts or delays
  • Problem Identification to quickly and accurately recognize potential issues in air traffic patterns, communications, or equipment failures, anticipating and addressing conflicts or hazards before they escalate
  • Selective Attention to efficiently focus on relevant information from multiple simultaneous data streams, prioritizing critical signals while filtering out distractions
  • Stress Tolerance to effectively manage high-pressure situations, maintain focus during emergencies and make critical decisions rapidly while ensuring safety and efficiency in air traffic operations
  • Knowledge in Public Safety and Security to understand moderate-level procedures, regulations and safety protocols for the secure and orderly flow of air traffic and to prevent collisions

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following 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.

Additional information

  • Air traffic controllers with experience and appropriate NAV Canada endorsements may move to units with higher volumes of air traffic.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators (72604)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Sub-major group

726 – Transportation officers and controllers

Minor group

7260 – Transportation officers and controllers

Unit group

72601 – Air traffic controllers and related occupations

Occupational profile

72601.01 – Air traffic controllers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.