What is the primary purpose of an air traffic control handoff?

The primary purpose of an air traffic control handoff is to ensure the safe passage of multiple aircraft. A handoff occurs when the responsibility for an aircraft is transferred from one air traffic controller to another, whether that be from one sector to another or from tower control to en route control. This process is crucial for maintaining safe separation between aircraft, facilitating efficient traffic flow, and providing the next controller with pertinent information about the flight, such as its altitude, speed, and intended route.

In the context of air traffic management, the priority is always safety. Thus, during the handoff process, the incoming controller will confirm the aircraft's current status and intentions to prevent potential conflicts as the aircraft continues on its flight path. The other options, while they may contribute to operational efficiency in different ways, do not encapsulate the primary focus of a handoff process like ensuring the safe passage of aircraft does.