ENAIRE begins implementing the free route concept in Spain

ENAIRE, the national air navigation service provider, today began implementing the free route operational concept in Spain.

Free route is an operational concept in which aircraft operators can formulate flight plans that contain user-defined segments that are planned as direct segments between points in a certain volume of airspace even if said points are not connected by an airway.

The implementation process will be completed in December 2025

This volume of airspace is then called free route airspace (FRA), which is why within Spain, the technical name for this project is HISPAFRA.

The new operation will allow aircraft to fly more efficiently and sustainably between the points defined in the airspace.

Free route is possible only during the flight planning phase. In the tactical phase, the operation is subject to its flight plan and to instructions and clearances from air traffic control.

The HISPAFRA Implementation Plan, part of ENAIRE's Strategic Plan, the 2025 Flight Plan, is scheduled to run through December 2025.

Environmental benefits

According to the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), once free route operations are fully implemented throughout the European Single Sky, they are expected to save 500,000 nautical miles of flying distance every day.

This means a reduction of 3,000 tonnes of fuel consumed and 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions every day across Europe. The estimated savings in daily fuel costs are 3 million euros.

Operational advantages

For air navigation service providers such as ENAIRE, free route operations simplify and improve the prediction of flight paths, as there is less divergence between the planned routes and those actually flown.

Free routes also reduce the need for ground-air coordination and transmissions.

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 Europe's fourth largest air traffic manager. Since 1 January 2022, it has chaired the A6 Alliance, a coalition of air navigation providers responsible for over 80% of European air traffic, and which is seeking to modernise the air traffic management system. It is also a member of other international alliances promoting the Single European sky, such as SESAR Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO and ICAO.

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator. It has also been awarded the EFQM 500 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.