Which controller is primarily responsible for final approach clearance, runway operations, and ground movement near the runway?

• A. Approach Control
• B. Tower
• C. Center
• D. Ground Control

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who has local control over the runway environment and the final steps to land. The tower is the controller responsible for the immediate airport surface and the airspace around the runway. That means issuing the landing clearance to an arriving aircraft once it’s on the final approach and the runway is clear, managing which runway is in use, and directing traffic on and around the active runway. Ground movement near the runway falls under tower supervision as well, coordinating with ground control on taxiing and runway crossings to keep everything safe in that critical area. Approach control handles sequencing and guiding arrivals into the terminal area and onto the initial approach, but it doesn’t issue the final landing clearance or control the runway surface. Center deals with en-route traffic far from the airport.