What does STARS stand for in air traffic control?

STARS stands for Standard Terminal Arrival Routes, which are pre-defined routes that guide aircraft into an airport's terminal area safely and efficiently. These routes are established to streamline the arrival process, helping to manage traffic in a busy terminal environment and ensuring that arrivals can be coordinated effectively with departures.

Using STARS helps reduce the need for air traffic controllers to provide custom routing instructions, thus minimizing radio communication and enhancing the flow of air traffic into the airport. By providing a structured and standardized arrival path, STARS contribute to overall safety and efficiency in the airspace system, allowing pilots to prepare for landing while still en route.

The other options do not accurately reflect the terminology used in air traffic control; they either suggest non-existent routes or irrelevant concepts that do not serve the same purpose as STARS.