Staff from ENAIRE and other organisations involved in the iTEC partnership at the third operational assessment.
- The future of air traffic management is being shaped by collaboration, innovation and strategic transformation among air navigation service providers from eight countries through the iTEC Collaboration
- Last week, ENAIRE, together with the other iTEC members, took part in a major operational evaluation of the future iTEC SkyNex system. This will form the backbone of ENAIRE’s evolution towards SACTA-iTEC 5, the next version of Spain’s air traffic management system for the coming decade, designed to improve traffic flow
- The activity ran over three days, with more than 40 participants attending in person and around 50 joining remotely from air navigation service providers in Norway, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, Lithuania and Poland
ENAIRE has played an active role in a new phase of the operational validation of iTEC SkyNex, the future air traffic management system being developed under the international iTEC Collaboration. The system will enable more predictable flight paths, making flights safer and more efficient through a more collaborative approach to air traffic control. This further strengthens ENAIRE’s position as one of the strategic partners in the technological transformation of European airspace.
The iTEC Collaboration brings together eight air navigation service providers: Norway (Avinor), Spain (ENAIRE), Germany (DFS), the Netherlands (LVNL), the United Kingdom (NATS), Canada (NAV CANADA), Lithuania (Oro Navigacija) and Poland (PANSA), together with Indra as technology partner.
Held at Indra’s facilities in Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), the activity formed part of the third validation of iTEC SkyNex Cycle 1 and brought together representatives of the iTEC Collaboration over several days.
More than 40 experts took part in person and around 50 remotely, including air traffic controllers, engineers and operational specialists, to assess how the future capabilities of iTEC SkyNex will meet the operational needs of the alliance’s members in the years ahead.
A scene from the iTEC SkyNex evaluation in which ENAIRE is taking part
The validation made it possible to analyse advanced operational scenarios and assess the system’s ability to improve air traffic management in an environment marked by continuously growing demand, the need for more efficient operations and the drive for greater sustainability.
iTEC SkyNex will provide the backbone for ENAIRE’s evolution towards SACTA-iTEC 5, the future version of Spain’s integrated air traffic management system. While iTEC SkyNex provides the common product developed by the European iTEC alliance, SACTA-iTEC 5 will combine that capability with ENAIRE’s own systems, services and functions, creating a single, comprehensive platform for all phases of flight—aerodrome, approach and en-route—that will be fully interoperable for the next decade.
The rollout of SACTA-iTEC 5 will mark a major milestone in the automation and digital transformation of air traffic management at ENAIRE, strengthening its ability to manage traffic growth, increase operational resilience and move forward towards the objectives of the Single European Sky.
Screenshot of the evaluation of the iTEC SkyNex control system, in which ENAIRE is involved
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 achieved the highest rating for the key performance indicator regarding air safety at the European level for six consecutive years, securing the maximum possible score of 100%. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.