ON the 20th of October every year, the world comes together to pay tribute to the unseen guardians of our skies, the vigilant professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the safe passage of aircraft from takeoff to landing: air traffic controllers.
In honour of International Air Traffic Controller Day, the Guyana Chronicle sat down with Trevor Daly, the acting manager with responsibilities for air traffic services, to shed light on the crucial work of these dedicated individuals.

The realm of air traffic control is an intricate and high-stakes operation. Air traffic controllers oversee the scheduling and monitoring of all flights, serving as the vigilant “eyes on the ground” for every aircraft in the sky.

Trevor Daly elucidated the three fundamental objectives that guide the work of air traffic controllers, making it a profession of unparalleled importance.
“The first objective,” Trevor explained, “is to identify potential threats and obstacles that pilots might overlook. Air traffic control is primarily aimed at ensuring that aircraft operate safely, which means keeping them at a safe distance from one another and away from ground obstacles. Various techniques are employed to guarantee the achievement of this goal.”
Efficiency and timeliness are equally significant responsibilities for air traffic controllers. “The second objective,” Daly continued, “is to ensure that aircraft operate efficiently, and the third is to maintain an orderly flow of air traffic. We employ a variety of tools and tactics to ensure the seamless execution of these objectives.”

However, the path of an air traffic controller is not without its challenges. Trevor Daly acknowledged the profound sense of responsibility that weighs on him and his colleagues.
“The magnitude of responsibility is something that’s always at the forefront of our minds. Knowing that at times, there are thousands of lives in your hands can be daunting. Over time, you become accustomed to it, but the awareness that every decision we make has a direct impact on the safety and lives of those individuals is always there.”
The driving force behind air traffic controllers is a shared commitment to making the right decisions for the people under their care. “Our motivation,” Trevor stated, “stems from the desire to ensure that every decision we make results in a safe, comfortable, and efficient flying experience for the travelling public. It’s a level of responsibility I can’t compare to any other profession.”

On this International Air Traffic Controller Day, we recognise and celebrate these unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that our journeys through the skies remain safe and our flights run smoothly. Trevor Daly’s insights shed light on the profound commitment and dedication of air traffic controllers, making us appreciate the indispensable role they play in the aviation industry.