What is a controller's first priority during operations?

The controller's first priority during operations is to separate aircraft and issue safety alerts. This is essential for maintaining the safety of all air traffic in the controlled airspace. Ensuring that aircraft are adequately separated prevents collisions and enhances the overall safety of aviation operations. Controllers are trained to monitor aircraft positions, communicate with pilots, and adjust flight paths as necessary to maintain safe distances between aircraft.

While providing convenience to pilots, assisting with ground operations, and maintaining operational schedules are important aspects of air traffic management, they all take a secondary role to ensuring safety. Without proper separation and the issuance of safety alerts, the risk of accidents increases significantly, which can have catastrophic consequences. Safety is the primary responsibility of air traffic controllers, and all other tasks are conducted with this priority in mind.