The Observatory for the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Air Operations reports a reduction of 120 kilograms of CO2 emissions per flight

The Observatory for the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Air Operations, made up of ENAIRE (Spain's air navigation service provider), the Official Association of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC), and the Professional Association of Air Traffic Controllers (APROCTA), has recorded an average reduction of 120 kilograms of CO2 emissions per flight during the first half of 2025. This equates to a total reduction of 356 tonnes of emissions over the period. 

These figures were presented at the recent meeting of the Observatory’s Governing Committee, where progress was reviewed—from the collection and analysis of data to its use in decision-making processes aimed at delivering ever safer, smoother, more efficient and sustainable air transport in today’s context of continued air traffic growth. 

The gradual implementation of new flight procedures by ENAIRE, along with the professional best practices of pilots and controllers, has enabled this saving in fuel and emissions compared to the consumption recorded in flight plans. These factors have also contributed to improved on-time performance, resulting in an average arrival at the destination 0.6 minutes ahead of schedule during this period. 

These data are based on an analysis of the parameters collected from flights controlled by ENAIRE’s air traffic control centres in each region (which include the Adolfo Suárez Madrid – Barajas, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona – El Prat, Palma, Málaga-Costa del Sol, and Gran Canaria airports). Since the Observatory began collecting data in 2020 until the end of 2024, more than 15,000 flight observations have been recorded, with an additional 5,000 expected this year. 

A total of 50 COPAC-registered pilots and 38 air traffic controllers with specialised technical training make up the group of observers who collect information on safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Their knowledge and professional judgment, in turn, help improve airspace planning and management and promote good operational practices that benefit air transport and its users. 

About the Air Operations Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability Observatory 

The Air Operations Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability Observatory is an initiative of ENAIRE, the national air navigation service provider, and the Official College of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC) that, together with the Professional Association of Air Traffic Controllers (APROCTA) and the Professional Union of Air Traffic Controllers (UPCA), works for the continuous improvement of air safety and operational procedures. 

To achieve these objectives, the Observatory collects, classifies and analyses predetermined data to obtain indicators on the safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability of air operations through observations made by pilots and air traffic controllers. 

By collecting these parameters, the Observatory identifies best practices in the safety, efficiency and sustainability of operations, while promoting and improving the mutual understanding of operations between pilots and controllers.