- At the Airspace World 2026 exhibition, taking place from 26 to 28 May in Lisbon, ENAIRE will showcase the latest advances in its SACTA-iTEC air traffic control system
- The newest version is aligned with several strategic objectives of the new European Master Plan, supporting virtual centre concepts and marking the evolution of the system architecture towards ATM data provision (ADSP—ATM Data Service Provider), with a strong focus on automation and digitalisation
- The release also introduces significant new conflict management and early resolution capabilities, illustrating the gradual migration towards a New Service-Oriented System Model (NSDM)
- ENAIRE will also present its leadership in European drone projects (U-space), aeronautical information and data digitalisation initiatives, and advances in air traffic forecasting
- The event, organised by CANSO, the air navigation service providers' organisation, will bring together more than 7,000 airspace professionals and leaders in the Portuguese capital
ENAIRE, Spain's national air navigation service provider, will present the latest version of its air traffic control system, SACTA iTEC 4.02, at the Airspace World 2026 exhibition tomorrow. The system is developed under an alliance model with several leading European providers. SACTA iTEC 4.02 is an advanced technology platform that strengthens operational safety, system resilience and airspace efficiency, and is equipped to handle traffic growth and the digital transformation of the sector.
A key differentiator of the Spanish system is that it serves as a single common platform across the entire air navigation network—en-route, approach and tower control centres alike—facilitating technological evolution by creating synergies and improving efficiency., and enabling the integration of new operational capabilities such as satellite voice and data communications and advanced dynamic airspace sectorisation models. Through this strategy, ENAIRE continues to drive European air traffic system innovation, contributing to safer, more efficient and more sustainable airspace.
At Airspace World, the leading global air traffic management event organised by CANSO and taking place in Lisbon from 26 to 28 May, visitors will be able to see a system that combines technological innovation, digitalised critical communications and a resilient architecture capable of managing air traffic across all phases of flight, from gate to gate, on a single common platform serving Spain's entire network of control centres and towers.
As air traffic demand grows and the European air traffic management sector undergoes transformation, ENAIRE is pursuing a management model built on digitalisation, interoperability and trajectory-based operations, contributing to the move towards a European Digital Sky.
Innovation and digitalisation for airspace
The latest version of ENAIRE's system, which incorporates elements of the future iTEC SkyNex system—developed in collaboration with other European air navigation service providers—places ENAIRE at the forefront of next-generation air traffic management. With this platform, air traffic control moves towards a more collaborative, digital model capable of optimising flight trajectories and improving system efficiency through cross-border interoperability.
The new version introduces advanced predictive trajectory management capabilities, including the Tactical Trajectory Module (TTM), which analyses future flight trajectories and generates early alerts with greater lead time to help prevent potential conflicts between aircraft. The TTM integrates a new feature (What Else) that assists controllers in assigning levels, headings and direct-to-waypoint clearances free of conflict, both through the various assignment panels and graphically on the radar display. Together, these tools make operations safer and more efficient.
The new version also features continuous flight profile monitoring, capable of detecting deviations from the planned trajectory and strengthening controller situational awareness.
This advanced technology enhances both safety and efficiency: more precise trajectories enable optimised routing and lower emissions, supporting more sustainable aviation.
Digitalised critical communications
The evolution of the air traffic management system is also underpinned by the development of the air navigation data network (REDAN), a wide-area network connecting all air navigation facilities and carrying all data and voice communications for air traffic management units. ENAIRE has now completed the deployment of its new voice communication systems, which digitalise voice over IP (the COMETA project), in a clear commitment to digitalising air traffic control communications.
COMETA introduces Voice over IP technology into ENAIRE's control centres, replacing traditional analogue systems with a robust digital infrastructure integrated into the air navigation data network.
This infrastructure has made it possible to establish local contingency plans by reconfiguring the simulators used for training and other purposes, and to activate a common inter-centre contingency plan in record time, enabling remote service provision from another facility in the event of a prolonged failure or high-severity incident.
SACTA compatibility with other systems
The Spanish air traffic management system has been designed with resilience at its core, integrating operational redundancy, service continuity and protection against external threats.
A common digital architecture across all air traffic control centres provides a uniform, scalable system for the entire network. This reflects a clear vision—one system, one network, one operational approach—with an infrastructure ready to absorb the growth in European air traffic and meet the sector's future challenges.
Key elements include the virtual control centres in Madrid and Barcelona, which distribute flight plan data across the entire network of control centres on the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
These virtual centres strengthen the system's capacity to respond to contingencies, ensuring continuity of air traffic management even under demanding technical conditions.
Presentations and guided tours
ENAIRE's Director General, Enrique Maurer, will take part in the Strategic Vision & ATM European Transformation session at the Viasat Theatre, where he will set out ENAIRE's strategic vision and its role in the transformation of the European air traffic management system, addressing the key challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital, automated and interconnected environment.
On the first day, ENAIRE will also present the U-ELCOME project at its stand (11:30–11:40) as part of the SESAR Walking Tours. U-ELCOME is a major European Digital Sky Demonstrator designed to deploy and validate the U-space concept—the system for the safe, automated integration of drones into European airspace—which ENAIRE led in Spain.
From 12:30 to 13:00, ENAIRE will present RECNET, its wide-area monitoring system covering numerous airports across Spain for monitoring satellite navigation system performance and detecting interference in real time. RECNET comprises a network of 30 multi-constellation, multi-frequency stations, strengthening aviation safety against potential jamming or spoofing signals.
On the second day, Wednesday 27 May, ENAIRE will continue to participate in SESAR Walking Tours and technical presentations on air traffic management system innovation and modernisation.
As part of the SESAR Walking Tours, ENAIRE will deliver four additional presentations at its stand:
• The KAIROS (10:30–10:40) and HARMONIC (10:40–11:30) projects are key components of the new wave of SESAR 3 industrial research, focused on making European airspace smarter through artificial intelligence and operational flexibility. Both involve ENAIRE and its R&D centre, CRIDA. KAIROS uses artificial intelligence algorithms to generate digital weather forecasts that are significantly more accurate and faster than those currently available. HARMONIC aims to “harmonise” the air network by enabling airspace to adapt dynamically to traffic demand and military requirements rather than remaining rigid.
• The DEVICE project—Delegation of Airspace Providing Interoperability Between Virtual Centres in Europe—(14:15–14:25) is a European innovation initiative under the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking in which ENAIRE participates. It focuses on modernising conventional air traffic management through the creation of virtual centres , with the aim of demonstrating that airspace management can be delegated dynamically and securely between different control centres, improving the flexibility and resilience of the European system.
• The SWIM project—System Wide Information Management—(15:00–15:10) is a SESAR technological and organisational framework designed to replace current information exchange practices, based on point-to-point connections and proprietary formats, with an open, standardised digital network connecting all actors in the aviation system in real time.
ENAIRE will also deliver a presentation (12:00–12:30) on navigation system continuity in disruption scenarios, covering resilience strategies and technical measures to ensure safety and service continuity under adverse conditions.
Finally, ENAIRE's stand will feature a state-of-the-art air traffic control workstation (iFOCUCS), whose ergonomic design and large touchscreen enable controllers to manage traffic more efficiently and seamlessly.
Visitors will also be able to explore ENAIRE's EYWA application, underscoring the organisation's commitment to automation, trajectory-based management and the future of air traffic management. EYWA is ENAIRE's advanced technology platform for comprehensive, real-time monitoring of the Spanish air navigation network —an operational management tool that centralises critical data to support airspace decision-making.
About ENAIRE
ENAIRE is Spain's national air navigation service provider.
A public company under the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, it provides air traffic control services for the en-route and approach phases of all flights originating from or destined for Spain, as well as overflights. ENAIRE also manages communications, navigation and surveillance services across the entirety of Spanish airspace and Aena's nationwide airport network, and provides aerodrome air traffic control at 21 airports, including the busiest.
ENAIRE is Europe's fourth-largest air traffic management provider and a member of the A6 Alliance, the SESAR Joint Undertaking, the SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC and CANSO, with close ties to ICAO.
It has achieved the highest rating in the key European aviation safety performance indicator for six consecutive years, the last five with the maximum possible score of 100%. ENAIRE also holds the EFQM 600 Seal in recognition of its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.