What is the importance of situational awareness in air traffic control?

Situational awareness in air traffic control is crucial as it enables controllers to understand and anticipate the dynamics of air traffic. This understanding allows them to assess and interpret the current status of aircraft, weather conditions, and potential hazards effectively. With heightened situational awareness, controllers can dynamically adjust their decisions and instructions based on real-time developments, which is vital for ensuring the safety and efficiency of airspace management.

While predictions about average flight durations can be part of air traffic management, they are not the core function of situational awareness. Documenting aircraft capabilities is important but does not encompass the complete picture of what situational awareness entails. Moreover, while understanding communication protocols is essential for coordination and clarity, situational awareness extends beyond just communication to include a comprehensive view of all elements affecting air traffic management.