What does the term "aircraft in distress" imply for ATC?

The term "aircraft in distress" is used by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to signify that the aircraft is experiencing a serious situation that jeopardizes its safety. This could include mechanical failures, fuel emergencies, medical emergencies on board, or any other life-threatening situations. When ATC recognizes that a flight is in distress, it prioritizes that aircraft over others, providing immediate assistance and guidance as necessary.

This prioritization is critical because it allows the distressed aircraft to receive the necessary resources and routing to ensure the safety of those on board and to facilitate a timely resolution to the emergency. Other situations, such as routine issues or requests for flight information, do not carry the same level of urgency and therefore do not imply the need for priority handling. Similarly, flying under visual flight rules indicates that the pilot is operating under visual conditions but does not inherently relate to the urgency implied by being in distress.