For the last fortnight, as drones and missiles have whistled through the skies above Iran and the Gulf, air traffic controllers have been shepherding passenger jets through safer but congested airspace on the edge of the war.
A glance at a flight tracker map shows how busy Egypt and Georgia have become. Working side-by-side, each controller looks after a different section of the map, coordinating with colleagues which planes are entering and leaving their airspace.
On a normal day, an individual controller might manage six aircraft in their area at a time. But when there's a war on, it could be double that.
The brain can only give that amount of concentration at that level of intensity for 20-30 minutes, says retired air traffic controller, Brian Roche. He spent 18 years in the job, first for the Royal Air Force in various countries and then for passenger jets in London, where he was part of a unit tasked with handling emergency distress calls.
During busy periods, more controllers are brought in to manage the greater volume of aircraft in particular areas, and controllers are rotated more frequently to ensure they don't become overwhelmed. Usually, shifts would be 45-60 minutes long with 20-30 minutes off, but during times of conflict, controllers will likely only do a 20-minute stint and then break for the same length of time.
The controllers at the moment are working unbelievable shifts, [dealing with] unbelievable amounts of traffic, he says.
The downing of a Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight in 2014 underscores the risks inherent in air travel during conflict, offering a stark reminder of the importance of diligent air traffic management and the need for situational awareness.
In the face of chaos, airlines adapt their routes, leveraging careful planning to avoid dangerous airspace. Pilots are trained to communicate effectively with passengers, ensuring them that all is under control, maintained by thorough procedures aimed at preventing chaos in the sky.
As cabin crew member Hannah notes, their role extends beyond service to ensuring passenger safety and comfort amidst challenging travel circumstances. This lifestyle, although demanding, is viewed by professionals in aviation as a passion and a commitment to maintaining order and safety above all.
A glance at a flight tracker map shows how busy Egypt and Georgia have become. Working side-by-side, each controller looks after a different section of the map, coordinating with colleagues which planes are entering and leaving their airspace.
On a normal day, an individual controller might manage six aircraft in their area at a time. But when there's a war on, it could be double that.
The brain can only give that amount of concentration at that level of intensity for 20-30 minutes, says retired air traffic controller, Brian Roche. He spent 18 years in the job, first for the Royal Air Force in various countries and then for passenger jets in London, where he was part of a unit tasked with handling emergency distress calls.
During busy periods, more controllers are brought in to manage the greater volume of aircraft in particular areas, and controllers are rotated more frequently to ensure they don't become overwhelmed. Usually, shifts would be 45-60 minutes long with 20-30 minutes off, but during times of conflict, controllers will likely only do a 20-minute stint and then break for the same length of time.
The controllers at the moment are working unbelievable shifts, [dealing with] unbelievable amounts of traffic, he says.
The downing of a Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight in 2014 underscores the risks inherent in air travel during conflict, offering a stark reminder of the importance of diligent air traffic management and the need for situational awareness.
In the face of chaos, airlines adapt their routes, leveraging careful planning to avoid dangerous airspace. Pilots are trained to communicate effectively with passengers, ensuring them that all is under control, maintained by thorough procedures aimed at preventing chaos in the sky.
As cabin crew member Hannah notes, their role extends beyond service to ensuring passenger safety and comfort amidst challenging travel circumstances. This lifestyle, although demanding, is viewed by professionals in aviation as a passion and a commitment to maintaining order and safety above all.
