ENAIRE managed nearly 70,000 flights in May, 64.8% less than in 2019

ENAIRE managed nearly 70,000 flights in May (68,220), 64.8% less than in the same month in 2019, the baseline year for data comparisons, since traffic in 2020 fell to minimal levels as a result of COVID-19.

This reduction in flights is in line with that recorded throughout Europe

This reduction in the number of flights in Spain is consistent with that recorded throughout Europe, which saw an average decrease of 61.4% in May.

Domestic flights (23,116) exhibited the best trend in May, with a drop of 38.6% compared to the same month in 2019. International flights (32,231) went down by 72.3% compared to two years ago, and overflights (those that do not depart from or land at a Spanish airport) fell by 67.7% to 12,873.

Every ENAIRE control centre reported traffic drops in May compared to the same month in 2019: Canary Islands, 52.1%; Palma, 59.0%; Seville, 62.1%; Madrid, 66.8%; and Barcelona, 67.4%.

Data from the first five months

In the first five months of the year, ENAIRE managed over 240,000 flights (242,131), 70.2% fewer than in the same period in 2019, of which 106,800 were international (-76.8%), 85,564 domestic (-50.3%) and 49,767 overflights (-72.3%).

So far this year, 44% of all flights have been international, 35% domestic, and 21% overflights.

Recovery plan

ENAIRE is implementing a Recovery Plan for Air Navigation Services based on the forecasts being received from the European Network Manager. In full cooperation with EUROCONTROL, ENAIRE is working to standardise operational criteria in preparation for returning to pre-pandemic flight levels.

The Plan provides for a recovery of air traffic control operations in stages, based on the expected demand and scheduling criteria, and the efficient use of the available resources.

ENAIRE lowers its charges to help the sector

ENAIRE has again drastically reduced its air navigation charges in 2021 to speed the recovery of the aviation sector.

The continental route charge will be reduced from 51.08 euros in 2020 to 45.44 euros in 2021, which is an 11% reduction. Similarly, the route charge in the Canary Islands, which was already reduced earlier and is lower than the continental charge, is also being lowered from 43.73 euros to 40 euros, an 8.5% drop.

These reductions to its route charges are in addition to the reductions ENAIRE already made in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Since 2017, Spain has seen its continental route charges drop by 36.7% and by 31.6% in the Canary Islands.

Spain has reduced its continental route charge in 2020 and 2021 by 26%, and in the Canary Islands by 20%. In these times of crisis, these reductions provide significant support to the aviation sector.

European comparison

ENAIRE's route charge has become more competitive compared to Europe's main national air navigation service providers, and is, since 2020, the lowest. In 2021, it will be around 27% below the average for Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

Of all European countries, Spain will reduce its route charges the most in 2021, placing it some 8% below the average in the EUROCONTROL route charge system.

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.