As borders reopen and Australians prepare to reunite with friends and family, a team of unseen essential workers has continued to operate behind the scenes to guide aircraft safely through Australian skies.
While today marks International Day of the Air Traffic Controller, Airservices believes every day is a day to celebrate the men and women who keep Australia moving at all times - even through a pandemic.
Airservices Enroute Air Traffic Controller Meghan Clift has continued to manage high levels of air traffic into Perth throughout the pandemic, while living and working during lockdown periods in Melbourne.
"I'm part of a team who manage the airspace around Perth from our Air Traffic Services Centre in Melbourne," said Meghan.
"While the airspace I control has been relatively quiet on weekends, domestic traffic during the week has been operating relatively close to pre-pandemic levels.
"Whether there are one or one hundred aircraft, the reason we come into work every day remains the same - to ensure they get to where they're going safely and efficiently."
Like many people who work in the aviation industry, Meghan is looking forward to the borders reopening and is ready to welcome international flights and guide them safely to and from Australia.
"Every time I see a new international flight taking off, it makes you that little bit more excited that life is getting closer to being back to normal," said Meghan.
If you're interested in becoming an air traffic controller, visit the Airservices career page.
Airservices Australia is responsible for the safe and efficient management of 11% of the world's airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia's busiest airports. We connect people with their world safely – linking family and friends, generating economic activity, creating jobs and facilitating trade and tourism.
