Who determines if an airport is suitable based on weather, considering ceilings and visibility at ETA?

• A. The aircraft captain
• B. The dispatcher
• C. The air traffic control
• D. The operations manager

Answer: (B)

Assessing whether an destination airport is suitable for landing based on weather at the expected arrival time is a planning decision handled by the dispatcher. The dispatcher analyzes forecast weather for the destination, focusing on ceilings and visibility at the estimated time of arrival, and compares them to the airline’s minimums. They review current METARs and forecast data, consider instrument approach availability, and determine if the destination meets safety criteria. If the forecast indicates the airport would be below minimums, the dispatcher will adjust the plan—often by selecting an alternate airport or delaying the flight—to ensure a safe landing option. The captain has final authority for the flight itself, but the formal determination of suitability comes from the dispatcher as part of the flight plan. Air traffic control can provide weather information and manage routing, but they don’t decide the destination’s suitability based on the operator’s minima.