What role does air traffic control play in navigation?

Air traffic control plays a crucial role in facilitating safe aircraft navigation by providing directions and clearances to pilots. This function is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of aircraft within controlled airspace. Air traffic controllers are responsible for communicating with pilots about routing, altitude changes, and takeoff and landing clearances, which helps to prevent collisions and maintains order in busy airspace.

This coordination is vital in environments where many aircraft are operating in proximity to one another, as it allows for real-time adjustments to flight paths, ensuring safety and efficiency. By providing timely information and directives, air traffic control helps pilots navigate safely through both departure and arrival procedures as well as during their flights.