What is the main responsibility of approach and departure control during IFR flight?

The primary responsibility of approach and departure control during IFR flight is to manage and ensure the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic as it arrives at and departs from airports. This involves integrating both arrival and departure traffic, which is crucial to prevent conflicts and ensure safe distances between aircraft, especially in busy airspace.

By coordinating the movements of arriving and departing aircraft, controllers can maintain efficient and safe operations through the use of radar and other technologies. This integrated approach allows controllers to sequence aircraft for landing while simultaneously managing departures, ensuring that each flight is given the appropriate altitudes and vectors to safely navigate away from or into the airport environment.

While assistance with navigation challenges, weather information, and safety are important aspects of flight operations, the core mission during approach and departure operations explicitly centers on the integration of traffic to maintain safe distances and run efficient operations.