Air Traffic Controller
مراقب حركة جوية
Coordinates aircraft movements to keep air traffic safe and orderly.
Career overview
What they do
Air traffic controllers guide aircraft through take-off, landing or controlled airspace using communication and surveillance systems. The career requires specialist training, operational qualification and the ability to remain accurate under pressure.
Typical responsibilities
- Monitor aircraft positions and planned routes.
- Issue clear instructions to flight crews.
- Maintain required separation between aircraft.
- Coordinate handovers with other control teams.
- Manage traffic changes during disruptions.
Skills you'll need
How much it relies on
Work style
Advantages
- A direct role in aviation safety.
- Structured specialist training and development.
- Challenging work with clear operational purpose.
Disadvantages
- High responsibility for time-sensitive decisions.
- Rotating shifts and irregular sleep patterns.
- Demanding selection, medical and competency checks.
Growth & future opportunities
Editorial view: A strong option for students who enjoy precise, fast-paced work; suitability depends heavily on aptitude and successful specialist training.
Career content is written by the Masari editorial team. Last reviewed 23 Oct 2026.
Study in the UAE
Programs at UAE institutions that lead to this career.
Average tuition
AED 65,200 per year on average for bachelor's programmes with published fees (AED 60,000–75,840, 6 programmes).
Master's: around AED 5,000 per credit hour (1 programmes).
From each university's official fee schedule. Yearly figures for per-credit schedules assume a full-time load of 30 credit hours. Excludes housing, books and other fees.
- Abu Dhabi PolytechnicApplied Bachelor in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
- Abu Dhabi PolytechnicApplied Bachelor in Aircraft Engineering Technology
- Abu Dhabi PolytechnicApplied Bachelor in Aircraft Maintenance Management
- Amity University DubaiBachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani (BITS Pilani) Dubai CampusBachelor of Engineering in Mechanical with Specialization in AerospaceDubai4–5 yearstypicalNot published
- Emirates Aviation UniversityBachelor of Engineering (Honours) Aircraft Maintenance StudiesDubai4–5 yearstypicalNot published
- Emirates Aviation UniversityBachelor of Engineering (Honours) Aircraft MaintenanceDubai4–5 yearstypicalNot published
- Emirates Aviation UniversityBachelor of Engineering (Honours) Avionics TechnologyDubai4–5 yearstypicalNot published
Programs and accreditation come from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) register of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Tuition and duration appear once verified on the university's own program page; always confirm admission details with the university.
Scholarships for this path
See all scholarshipsADNOC Accelerator Program Scholars
ADNOC · Employer
ADNOC support for high-potential Emiratis at approved UAE universities.
Abu Dhabi Scholarships – Master's
Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) · Government
Full-ride master's scholarship in psychology and social work.
Emirates Aviation University scholarships
Emirates Aviation University · University
Chancellor's Scholarship of up to 100% tuition, for up to 10 new students a year.
Khalifa University master's and PhD scholarships
Khalifa University · University
Merit-based graduate scholarships; PhD awards can include a monthly stipend.
UAE job market
Openings collected from connected job sources.
Openings by emirate
Salary range from postings
No verified salary data yet.
Employers hiring
- Dubai Government entity · 3
- Etihad Airways · 1
Browse live listings
Masari counts vacancies from sources that permit automated collection (currently the Dubai Government's Dubai Careers portal). LinkedIn, Naukrigulf and Dubizzle don't allow automated access, so we link to their searches instead.
Job data last updated 25 Oct 2026, 11:02 AM
Skills employers ask for
From the descriptions of 4 current UAE vacancies for this career. Tick the skills you already have to see your gaps.
The bar shows the share of postings that mention each skill. Tick what you already have.
Specialist skills
Personal skills
Languages
Counted with keyword matching on 4 posting descriptions from the job sources above. A skill appears once per posting. It's a guide to what employers ask for, not a full list.