What is one of the key responsibilities of an ATCO?

One of the key responsibilities of an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) is to prevent collisions between aircraft. This task is vital for maintaining the safety and efficiency of air travel. ATCOs accomplish this by monitoring aircraft positions, providing clearances, and communicating instructions to pilots, ensuring that they maintain safe distances from one another at all times. Through effective coordination and real-time decision-making, ATCOs help to ensure that aircraft can safely navigate through busy airspace, landing, and taking off without risk of collision.

The other options pertain to functions that do not fall under the direct responsibility of an ATCO. Organizing flight schedules is typically handled by airline operations or flight dispatch teams, while fueling aircraft is the responsibility of ground support staff. Managing airport terminal operations relates more to airport management and customer service functions. Therefore, the focus on collision prevention underscores the primary and critical role of ATCOs in the safety of air traffic management.