What is the primary purpose of the control tower at an airport?

The primary purpose of the control tower at an airport is to provide air traffic control services and manage aircraft movements. This involves coordinating the safe and efficient movement of aircraft on the ground and in the airspace surrounding the airport. The control tower personnel, known as air traffic controllers, are responsible for directing aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing, ensuring that they operate safely and avoid collisions with each other and with ground vehicles.

In addition to coordinating arrivals and departures, air traffic controllers in the tower are tasked with monitoring air traffic in the vicinity of the airport, issuing clearances, and providing instructions for landings and takeoffs. This role is critical in maintaining the flow of air traffic and enhancing the safety of all operations at the airport.

Other options such as managing aircraft maintenance, monitoring weather conditions, or assisting passengers with boarding, are essential functions at an airport but are not the primary responsibility of the control tower. Maintenance is typically handled by ground crews and maintenance personnel, weather monitoring is conducted by meteorological services, and boarding assistance is provided by airline staff at the gates.