The ENAIRE Foundation, the cultural arm of ENAIRE, opened the call for entries for the 30th edition of its Aeronautical Awards from 19 March to 30 June 2025. A total of 62 works were submitted across 48 nominations. These awards aim to recognise the work and talent of individuals dedicated to research, innovation and communication in the field of air transport.
The review period is now under way, with winners to be selected by a jury of renowned professionals from various fields, including ENAIRE, Aena, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, university professors from Spanish institutions that rotate on an annual basis, the Madrid Press Association, and representatives of the Spanish Air and Space Force. The jury will evaluate the 62 entries submitted in this 30th edition.
According to the ENAIRE Foundation’s Managing Director, Margarita Asuar, the entries for this 30th edition are very diverse and demonstrate the sector’s exponential development potential, making the promotion of research a continuing priority for the ENAIRE Foundation
The categories of the ENAIRE Foundation Aeronautical Awards are:
R&D Drone Award, annual, worth €10,000. This award, created in 2019, is presented to works, studies, projects, articles, technical publications, etc., that make a unique contribution to innovation in the drone sector, in the fields of aircraft design and aircraft system technologies (including propulsion, communications, control, etc.), drone operation and traffic management, as well as the development of new applications. Work completed in the two years prior to the call for proposals could be submitted.
This award is supported by Airbus Spain, and the winner will have the opportunity to present their project to the company’s technical team. If the project is deemed of interest, the possibility of developing a prototype will be explored.
"Manuel Abejón Adámez" Space Award, presented annually and worth €10,000. Handed out to recognise innovative work in the application of space technology to air and space mobility. This award, in keeping with ENAIRE's Strategic Plan, the 2025 Flight Plan, also aims to promote technological solutions and applications to enhance air navigation, surveillance and satellite communications services, and regulatory initiatives to make aviation more sustainable. Work completed in the two years prior to the call for proposals could be submitted.
José Ramón López Villares Award, with two categories: Final Degree Project and Master’s Thesis, presented annually in two categories, Air Navigation and Airport Studies, each worth €5,000. It is handed out to Final Degree Projects and Master's Theses in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering, as well as in related disciplines such as Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, and Architecture, provided they focus on air navigation or airport-related topics and have been completed at any Spanish university. Eligible projects must have been submitted and approved during the year prior to the call for submissions.
Luis Azcárraga Innovation in Aviation Award, presented annually and worth €10,000. It is granted to works, studies or projects published in the year prior to the call for entries that represent a unique and practical contribution to planning and organisation, economic and administrative management, environmental impact and preservation, or technological research and innovation in the field of air transport.
Aeronautical Journalism Award, presented annually and worth €10,000. Handed out to works of journalism that are related to air transport and navigation, airport facilities, and airport services in general. The works must have been published or issued sometime in year before the call in Spanish press, radio, television, digital media or online publications. Up to three articles could be presented per candidate.
More information on the ENAIRE Foundation's website: https://fundacionenaire.es/actividad/premios-aeronauticos-2025/
“For 30 years, the ENAIRE Foundation has been recognising excellence in aeronautical research through awards in five categories. We firmly believe that boosting the aeronautical sector means looking to the future from the present, and this is truly exciting not only for professionals in the field, but also for anyone with curiosity, interest and imagination”, says Margarita Asuar, Managing Director of the ENAIRE Foundation.
According to Asuar, the projects submitted for these Aeronautical Awards are highly diverse and reflect the exponential development potential of the sector, which is why promoting research is, and must continue to be, a priority for the ENAIRE Foundation.
“With the submission period now closed, the review and amendment phase begins, concluding with the formal acceptance of the projects. Afterwards, a jury made up of highly respected members, presided over by the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, will decide on the winning entries. The jury’s decision will be announced by the end of the year”.
The ENAIRE Foundation
Is a cultural institution of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility that, in addition to managing, preserving and exhibiting the ENAIRE Collection of Contemporary Art, engages in a comprehensive annual programme of activities that focus on aeronautical art and culture. Notably, it is one of the institutions that currently provides the most support to photography through its annual prizes - which have become a benchmark for professional photographers - and by hosting exhibits.
It is the only foundation in Spain that combines the two seemingly disparate themes of art and aeronautical culture, bringing them together by undertaking a programme of activities that promote the study, research, knowledge and dissemination of aeronautical culture, integrating history and modernity to raise awareness of the world of aviation in our country.
The Naves de Gamazo are the first permanent home of the ENAIRE Collection of Contemporary Art, an example of collaboration between government agencies that was made possible thanks to the partnership and joint efforts of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the Government of Cantabria, through the Office for Culture, Tourism and Sport, and the Port Authority of Santander, which share the operating expenses of the centre in order to ensure the present and future viability of this cultural project.
The ENAIRE Foundation is implementing digital museum resources to boost the democratisation of art and make it accessible from anywhere in the world. These new museum resources are now available on the Foundation's website: https://fundacionenaire.es
About ENAIRE
ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.
As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain, and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.
ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.