Air traffic controllers

Millions of aircraft movements are needed to transport the billions of passengers all over the world who travel by air. Air transport also plays an essential role in the rapid transfer of goods. In addition, many millions of tonnes of freight and post are transported by air.

Skyguide provides air navigation services in Switzerland and its neighbouring countries. In 2024, for example, we guided more than 1.4 million civil and military aircraft safely and efficiently through the busiest airspace in Europe.

The Skyguide air traffic controllers in approach and departure control (APP/DEP) monitor departures on their radar screens and guide aircraft onto their airways. The aircraft are then taken over by the air traffic controllers in the area control center (ACC). They manage the aircraft in their areas of responsibility and coordinate the air traffic with colleagues in the neighbouring sectors.

Our air traffic controllers operate from various locations, including control towers, approach and departure control, area control centres for en-route air traffic or in the air defence and direction centres.