Lufttrafikkontrollen

Lufttrafikkontrollen, or air traffic control, is the service responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in the air and on the ground within a defined airspace. It coordinates flight paths, clearances, and instructions to ensure adequate separation and an orderly flow from takeoff to landing.

The service is typically organized into three main control levels: en-route centers that manage aircraft as they cruise between regions; terminal or approach control that sequence arrivals and departures near airports; and control towers that oversee ground operations and local traffic on and around the runways.

Core duties include maintaining aircraft separation, issuing altitude, speed, and route clearances, sequencing arrivals and departures, providing weather information and changes, and coordinating handoffs between sectors and neighboring air traffic services. Controllers use a combination of surveillance, communication, and procedures to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently.

Technology used includes radar systems for surveillance, secondary surveillance radar transponders, ADS-B, and flight data processing systems; communications via VHF radio, and increasingly data links such as CPDLC for pilot–controller messaging. Procedures follow standardized flight rules and airspace organization defined by national authorities and international bodies.

Lufttrafikkontrollen is typically provided by national air navigation service providers under civil aviation authorities. In Europe, coordination is facilitated by Eurocontrol and ICAO standards; globally, the International Civil Aviation Organization governs safety and interoperability guidelines. Safety and performance are maintained through training, certification, and safety management systems.