TransportationO*NET: 53-2021.00
Will AI Replace Air Traffic Controllers?
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport, and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers, according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
55out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
55/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
21
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- â–¸Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- â–¸Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- â–¸Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
- â–¸Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- â–¸Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- â–¸Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- â–¸Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (11)
- Transfer control of departing flights to traffic control centers and accept control of arriving flights.
- Monitor or direct the movement of aircraft within an assigned air space or on the ground at airports to minimize delays and maximize safety.
- Monitor aircraft within a specific airspace, using radar, computer equipment, or visual references.
- Contact pilots by radio to provide meteorological, navigational, or other information.
- Maintain radio or telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units, or other area control centers to coordinate aircraft movement.
- Check conditions and traffic at different altitudes in response to pilots' requests for altitude changes.
- Relay air traffic information, such as courses, altitudes, or expected arrival times, to control centers.
- Compile information about flights from flight plans, pilot reports, radar, or observations.
- Organize flight plans or traffic management plans to prepare for planes about to enter assigned airspace.
- Review records or reports for clarity and completeness and maintain records or reports, as required under federal law.
- Complete daily activity reports and keep records of messages from aircraft.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Provide flight path changes or directions to emergency landing fields for pilots traveling in bad weather or in emergency situations.
- Alert airport emergency services in cases of emergency or when aircraft are experiencing difficulties.
- Provide on-the-job training to new air traffic controllers.
âš¡AI-Assisted (7)
- Inform pilots about nearby planes or potentially hazardous conditions, such as weather, speed and direction of wind, or visibility problems.
- Issue landing and take-off authorizations or instructions.
- Direct pilots to runways when space is available or direct them to maintain a traffic pattern until there is space for them to land.
- Direct ground traffic, including taxiing aircraft, maintenance or baggage vehicles, or airport workers.
- Determine the timing or procedures for flight vector changes.
- Initiate or coordinate searches for missing aircraft.
- Inspect, adjust, or control radio equipment or airport lights.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 4.38/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 4.25/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 4.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 4.12/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 4.00/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.12/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Air Traffic Controllers have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 55/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research