Air traffic controllers typically do the following: Monitor and direct the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the air. Control all ground traffic at airport runways and taxiways. Issue takeoff and landing instructions to pilots.

Directing planes is a coordinated effort between Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in the tower and Aircraft Marshallers on the ground. ATCs are high-stakes professionals who manage the "invisible" paths of the sky; the "Ground Controller" manages the taxiways, while the "Tower Controller" handles takeoffs and landings. Once a plane reaches its designated gate area, the responsibility shifts to the Ground Crew. An Aircraft Marshaller (often wearing high-visibility gear and holding orange "wands" or "paddles") uses a standardized language of hand signals to guide the pilot into the exact parking position. In 2026, many modern "Tier 1" airports have replaced human marshallers with the Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS)—an automated laser-based system that displays "Left/Right" and "Stop" commands on a digital board at the gate. However, human marshallers remain essential for "non-standard" parking or at smaller regional airports. Behind the scenes, "Ramp Controllers" coordinate the pushback tugs and baggage vehicles to ensure that the "dance" on the tarmac remains safe and efficient, preventing costly and dangerous "wing-clip" accidents.