Operations Control has not been abolished and is still practised by mature airlines today.
Operational Control was transferred from an ATS/FS responsibility (approving flight plans and closing airports) to that of the Aircraft Commander in either the late 80's or early 90's. It was a ridiculous situation that existed where an ATC could close an airport whilst sitting in a tower with their eye line above the minima (as was the situation at Perth and the then new Brisbane towers). The only person who is in a position to decide whether they can continue an approach and land at the minima is the pilot themselves, not anybody else.
CC