Air traffic controllers
Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace, and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
AB, MB, NB
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Control flow of air traffic within assigned airspace using radar monitors, radio and other communication equipment and visual references
- Issue aircraft takeoff and landing instructions to pilots and relay meteorological, navigational and other information to pilots in flight
- Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent control towers, terminal control units and other area control centres, and coordinate movement of aircraft into adjoining areas
- Alert airport emergency services when aircraft are experiencing difficulties and report missing aircraft to search and rescue services
- Direct activities of all moving aircraft and service vehicles on or near airport runways.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is required.
- checkA basic radio telephone operator's licence is required.
- checkAir traffic controllers and flight service specialists require completion of a NAV Canada training program which includes structured in-class and on-the-job training.
- checkAir traffic controllers require an air traffic controller's licence.
Market Outlook by Province
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Good for air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about air traffic controllers and related occupations in Alberta: Approximately 600 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Air traffic controllers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 62%Air transportation (NAICS 481): 31%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 7% 79% of air traffic controllers and related occupations work all year, while 21% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 71% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 28% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 16% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 26% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Manitoba
The employment outlook will be Good for air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.This occupation is driven by demand for commercial and business air travel, as well as a relatively high training drop-out rate. This occupation often operates in a high-pressure environment with long hours and rotating shift work. NAV Canada's Fatigue Risk Management System is set up to maintain safety by ensuring the well-being of air traffic controllers. Temporary tower closures in Winnipeg have been required when only one controller is on duty. This ensures that mandatory breaks are observed. Key trends for this occupation include artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) integration to predict traffic pattern and support real-time decisions. Automation of routine tasks is allowingHere are some key facts about air traffic controllers and related occupations in Manitoba: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Air traffic controllers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors: Other transportation and warehousing (NAICS 482-483, 486, 487, 493): 76%Air transportation (NAICS 481): 17%Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 7% 80% of air traffic controllers and related occupations work all year, while 20% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 83% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 17% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 28% compared to 31% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 14% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 32% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
New Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Moderate for air traffic controllers and related occupations (NOC 72601) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about air traffic controllers and related occupations in New Brunswick: Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Air traffic controllers and related occupations mainly work in the following sectors: Scenic and sightseeing transportation and support activities for transportation (NAICS 487-488): 93% 81% of air traffic controllers and related occupations work all year, while 19% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 88% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 13% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 31% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 28% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 26% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 72601 openings right now.
Air Canada
6 active roles · Toronto, ON · Dorval, QC
NAV CANADA
6 active roles · Ottawa, ON · Moncton, NB
Vancouver Airport Authority
3 active roles · Vancouver, BC
Reimagined Parking
3 active roles · Winnipeg, MB · London, ON
Canadian Base Operators
2 active roles · Southport, MB
ATS Traffic
2 active roles · Kamloops, BC · Mississauga, ON
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