What is the role of the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)?

The Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) plays a crucial role in overseeing air traffic control operations at airports. It is primarily responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground and within the controlled airspace around the airport. This includes providing clearances for takeoffs and landings, managing the sequencing of arriving and departing flights, and ensuring that aircraft maintain safe distances from one another.

ATCT personnel use radar and communication systems to direct pilots, coordinate movements of ground vehicles, and manage emergency situations. This function is vital for maintaining safety and minimizing delays in the busy air travel environment, especially at large airports like O'Hare.

In contrast, managing airport finances, coordinating runway maintenance, and handling passenger services are responsibilities that fall to different departments within the airport management structure, rather than the Air Traffic Control Tower itself. The ATCT's focus is exclusively on air traffic management and safety.