What Is Flight Dispatcher? Definition & Meaning in Aviation
A flight dispatcher is an airline specialist who plans a flight, checks weather and airspace, calculates fuel and monitors the flight alongside the captain.
In plain language
Dispatchers share legal responsibility for the safety of each flight in many countries. They work from the airline’s operations control centre.
Example
If fog closes an airport, dispatchers help decide whether to delay, divert or cancel flights.
Why it matters
Dispatchers are the people behind the scenes who decide whether a flight can go. Many decisions about delays and cancellations start with them.