ENAIRE, worldwide leader of the CANSO Human Factors group

ENAIRE is leading the worldwide efforts of the CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) Human Factors Group. CANSO is a global organisation that represents the interests of air navigation service providers, and the goal of the Group is to exchange best industry practices and define a common work plan for the coming years.

The 'CANSO Human Performance Management Working Group' consists of 25 representatives from some of the world's leading air navigation service providers, and it has been led by ENAIRE since 2020.

The online event called 'CANSO Safety Focus: 2021 Kick off' was held on 23, 24 and 25 FebruaryThe 'CANSO Safety Focus: 2021 Kick off' online event was held on 23, 24 and 25 February. Over the course of these three days, the various projects carried out by the working group led by ENAIRE were presented, new ideas were collected from attendees and, on the last day, conclusions and new future projects were presented.

Some of the main areas addressed were the practical application of the CANSO Standard of Excellence in Human Performance, as well as the main effects of the pandemic on human performance and air navigation.

ENAIRE is committed to the effective management of Human Factors in air navigation, in keeping with international standards, and in 2018 it created a specialised management structure, the Human Factors Department, as part of its Safety, Quality and Environment Division. It has also incorporated an ATM (Air Traffic Management) Human Factors Programme into the 2020-2025 Flight Plan, the organisation's strategic plan.

In 2019, the Human Factors Department launched the Fatigue and Stress Operational Safety Risk System which, in addition to complying with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373, takes the next step in improving the safety and well-being of its air traffic controllers. This system is used to collect information on fatigue and stress in order to manage both conditions in the best possible way.

In 2021, this Department will continue to move forward with its systematic analysis of Human Factors as part of managing the change in technological innovation projects and operations.

Research, learn, improve

By virtue of being a large, high-tech system, aviation is a socio-technical transport structure that requires complex interactions between its human and technological components.

For Guadalupe Cortés, an air traffic controller and Head of the Human Factors Department at ENAIRE, "the effective integration of Human Factors in air traffic management is essential. Understanding and managing human performance is key, because no matter how advanced the concepts and systems become, professionals will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining an air navigation system in which aviation safety is the highest priority. People 'create safety' and enable a high degree of adaptability and flexibility, enhancing the system's resilience. That's why an event like CANSO Safety Focus is so important, because it lets us, together with some of the world's leading air navigation service providers, lay out common work areas in the subject of Human Factors".

About ENAIRE

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.

As a company of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda, it provides en route control services for all flights and overflights from five control centres in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Gran Canaria and Palma, as well as approach services to every airport in the country.

In addition, 45 control towers receive ENAIRE's communication, navigation and surveillance services, and 21 airports, including the country's busiest, rely on its aerodrome control services.

ENAIRE is the fourth most important European air navigation service provider, and, in a clear commitment to the Single Sky initiative, belongs to international partnerships such as SESAR Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, A6 Alliance, iTEC, CANSO and ICAO.

ENAIRE is the official provider of aeronautical information in Spain.