Non-standard operations

The Operations Coordination Department (COOP) at ENAIRE is responsible for managing all operations that are neither military nor commercial passenger or cargo flights, but which affect airspace under ENAIRE’s jurisdiction.

The coordination process for these activities is detailed below.

Manned aerial work

Commercial aerial work

Aerial work involves activities with manned aircraft for purposes other than passenger or cargo transport, such as photogrammetry, astronomical observations, power line inspections, filming, etc.

If the activity takes place in airspace controlled by ENAIRE, requests must be submitted through ENAIRE PLANEA at least 15 calendar days before the operation, under the “Manned Aircraft” section.
If the activity affects multiple air navigation service providers, the coordination request should be submitted only to ENAIRE, which will coordinate with the other providers and account for prohibited (P), restricted (R), and danger (D) areas as listed in AIC 01/24, available in AIP Spain.
For activities in areas not mentioned, the operator is responsible for coordinating with the relevant airspace manager.

A procedural infographic with guidance and coordination tips is available at the following link.

Test flights

Test flights covered under European Regulations EU 2017/373 and EU 748/2012 that require ATC services within ENAIRE-controlled airspace must be preceded by a Safety and Operational Study.

Requests must be sent to cop@enaire.es at least 40 calendar days before the event. Go here to download the template with the form to complete.

Aerial sports

Aerial sports are recreational or competitive activities conducted within a defined airspace, using various types of aircraft or specialised equipment. There are three main categories:

1. Skydiving competitions or activities

Applicants must follow the “Procedure for Requesting Civil Parachute Jump Activities”. This includes two types of activities:

If your activity is permanent, you must request the DGAC to publish a promulgated zone in order to carry it out. While your zone is being published, you can make occasional requests as described in the next point.
If your activity is occasional, the request must be submitted directly to the COOP through ENAIRE Planea, at least 30 calendar days before de event, under the “Manned Aircraft” section. For support, the email address cop@enaire.es is available.

When submitting your request, make sure to include the phone number of the person responsible for the event, the number and type of participating aircraft, and the maximum flight altitude in feet (ft AMSL).

COOP will respond to your request as early as possible, including the necessary operational conditions and publishing a NOTAM when required.

2. Free flight or aerobatic competitions or activities

The coordination of these activities will depend on the airspace in which they are carried out:

If you are going to operate in controlled airspace: your activity will require an exemption from operational limitations issued by AESA in order to operate in controlled airspace. Go here to see the procedures you must follow. Once you submit your request to AESA, the agency itself will coordinate with the corresponding providers and take care of publishing a NOTAM if necessary.
If you are going to operate outside controlled airspace: if your activity is subject to NOTAM publication, you must send your request to cop@enaire.es at least 30 calendar days in advance. Go here to download the template with the form to complete.

3. Free hot-air balloons

For competitions with manned hot-air balloons in airspace controlled by ENAIRE, prior coordination is required. You must send your request to cop@enaire.es at least 30 calendar days before the event. Go here to download the template with the form to complete.

Other uses of airspace

Other Uses of Airspace (OOUU) encompasses activities that fall outside what is strictly known as aerial activities, but which similarly affect the safety or normal operation of regular air traffic at an airport, heliport, or even the airways used by commercial aviation.

These include fireworks displays, shows or experimental activities using light effects, particularly lasers, balloon releases and lanterns, tethered balloons, pigeon racing, shooting championships, and similar activities.

In the following document, you can check whether your activity affects the aerodrome easements of any airport.

If your activity affects operational easements of airports/heliports, you must send your request directly to the affected airport, whether operated by AENA or Aeroports de Catalunya, at least 20 calendar days before the event. You can consult the airport’s contact details in ENAIRE DRONES.
If your activity only affects airspace controlled by ENAIRE, you must submit your request through ENAIRE PLANEA at least 15 calendar days before the event, in the section “other uses of airspace”.

Remember: Coordination with ENAIRE does not exempt you from the need to obtain any other authorisations issued by the relevant authorities.

Pyrotechnics, lasers, and lighting effects

This covers any activity with visual and auditory impact that involves the controlled ignition of fireworks, rockets, or other pyrotechnic devices, as well as the use of laser emitters, projectors, and other lighting devices to create spectacular visual effects at events, concerts, shows, or exhibitions.

When submitting your request, it is important to indicate the maximum height that the devices will reach, their range and sweep, and the location where the activity will take place. If these do not exceed the height of the venue where the event is held, coordination with ENAIRE will not be required.

Tethered balloons

These are activities in which the balloon is anchored to the ground with ropes or cables, limiting its vertical and horizontal movement. These activities allow the balloon to rise to a certain height to offer panoramic views or for advertising purposes, but without free movement, making them ideal for events, exhibitions, and controlled recreational experiences.

When submitting your request, it is important to indicate the maximum height the balloon will reach (from the ground to the topmost point of the balloon). If this does not exceed the height of surrounding buildings where the activity takes place, coordination with ENAIRE will not be required.

Release of free balloons or lanterns

These activities are regulated by RD 1180/2018.

The release of flying lanterns and helium balloons must be done in such a way that they are all released individually, without being tied together. Helium balloons must be released during the day, be made of latex, non-metallic colours, and have a maximum diameter of 30 cm.

If your activity takes place less than 8 km from the aerodrome reference point (ARP), you must send your request directly to the affected airport at least 20 calendar days before the event.

Operational coordination by ENAIRE is required for:

The release of medium or heavy balloons.
The release of light balloons within a controlled traffic zone (CTR), as well as in an ATZ or FIZ associated with an airport.
The release of more than 500 helium balloons within a radius of 8 km from the reference point of any aerodrome published in the AIP.
The release of more than 1,000 helium balloons within a radius of 8–16 km from the reference point of any aerodrome published in the AIP.
The release of flying lanterns within a radius of 16 km from the reference point of any aerodrome published in the AIP.

For these types of activities, we recommend requesting your coordination through ENAIRE PLANEA as far in advance as possible.

For the release of multiple balloons or lanterns, it is essential to indicate the total number of devices you intend to release.

For the release of unmanned free balloons, answer the questions indicated in PLANEA and ensure compliance with SERA.3140, Appendix 2 of SERA, and any applicable rules issued for its implementation.

Aerial demonstrations with aircraft

These activities are regulated by RD 1919/09. For the publication of NOTAM or TRA/TSA (airspace use restrictions), depending on the characteristics of the activity, coordination must be managed with the service provider responsible for the area of operation.

In the case of ENAIRE, you must send your request to cop@enaire.es at least 30 calendar days before the event. Go here to download the template with the form to complete.

In addition to the NOTAM request, you must comply with AESA requirements; more information can be found at the relevant link.

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