Enrique Maurer, ENAIRE's CEO, will chair the Network Management Board

Background

The European Commission has on 18 December 2024 published its Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/3136 of 17 December 2024 on the appointment of the chairperson and the members and their alternates of the Network Management Board.

Enrique Maurer has extensive experience in the air navigation sector and under his leadership, ENAIRE has achieved significant milestones in improving the safety, capacity, efficiency and sustainability of air traffic operations

This decision was taken following a discussion during the 89th meeting of the Single Sky Committee, held on 5 November 2024, where EU Member States with the support of all members of the Network Management Board, unanimously expressed their approval for the CEO of ENAIRE to assume the chairmanship of the Board for the 2025–2026 period.

EUROCONTROL is the appointed Network Manager by the European commission for a period of 10 years for the period 2019-2029. The Network Manager is the body responsible for carrying out the air traffic management network functions defined in the New framework Regulation on the Single European Sky from 2024. These network functions are essential for the sustainable and resilient development of the air transport system.

The Network Manager coordinates the design of the European route network, air traffic flow management, spectrum management coordination, and the crisis coordination cell for European aviation.

These functions of the air traffic network are governed through the Network Management Board, of which ENAIRE is a member. This Board oversees and monitors the execution of the network functions, making collaborative decisions that impact all stakeholders in European air traffic management. Its members include European Air Navigation Service Providers, representatives of airspace users, airport operators, representatives of military users and service providers, as well as EUROCONTROL and the European Commission itself, and counts with the support as observers of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Defence Agency (EDA), the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), the Deployment Manager (SDM) and the PRB (Performance Review Body).

Unanimous support

With the unanimous support of all members of the Network Management Board and the European Commission, Enrique Maurer will assume the chairmanship of the Network Management Board from 1 January 2025 for the 2025–2026 term, succeeding Simon Hocquard (Director General of CANSO), who has chaired the Board since 2015.

Enrique Maurer has extensive experience in the air navigation sector, having been actively involved for many years in the various challenges and opportunities faced by the European air traffic management network. Under his leadership, ENAIRE has achieved significant milestones in improving the safety, capacity, efficiency, and sustainability of air traffic operations.

“I would like to highlight the growing importance and relevance of the European Network Management Board as the strategic forum where the complexities and challenges of the European air traffic management network are addressed by the various stakeholders.

As Chair of the Network Management Board, I reiterate my personal commitment to strengthening cooperation and joint decision-making between the European Commission, EUROCONTROL, Member States, air navigation service providers, airspace users, airport operators, and the military sector, for the implementation of harmonised and interoperable air traffic management solutions that will enhance the safety, efficiency, sustainability, resilience, and capacity of the Single European Sky.

Enrique Maurer, CEO of ENAIRE.

About ENAIRE

ENAIRE is the Air Navigation Service Provider in Spain.

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain, and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.  

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.