Paloma Páez Rodríguez will become the new Director of ENAIRE’s Balearic Region on 16 September, taking over from Alejandro Mena, who has held the post since January 2023 and, after an outstanding tenure, now moves on to EUROCONTROL to continue his career.
Paloma Páez, a telecommunications engineer specialising in telematics from the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB), will continue to drive forward ENAIRE’s strategic projects in the Balearic Region, as set out in its Strategic Plan, Flight Plan 2030.
ENAIRE’s incoming Director in the Balearic Islands has 25 years’ experience in air navigation and the management of critical technology systems. She joined ENAIRE (then AENA) in 2001 as an ATSEP air navigation systems technician. In that role she worked on the operation, maintenance and upgrading of the technology infrastructure underpinning the provision of air navigation services.
In 2007 she was promoted to ATSEP Air Navigation Systems Coordinator, a post she held until 2013, coordinating technical teams and overseeing communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems. She then took charge of the Management Support Unit, building on her experience in planning, management and organisational coordination.
Since 2015 she has been Head of the Regional Technical Operations Division in the Balearic Region, leading the operation, management and technological transformation of ENAIRE’s air navigation systems at regional level. Key projects under her leadership include the modernisation of the CNS and SACTA systems, including the deployment of new operational functions such as stripless operations at the Region’s control towers, as well as the management of technical contingencies affecting operations and participation in strategic initiatives across the organisation.
Her career combines technical expertise, leadership and the management of complex projects, and she has made a significant contribution to innovation, modernisation and operational continuity in air navigation services.
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, 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.