Coordination between the Spanish Air and Space Force and ENAIRE: a key factor in contributing to sustainability in aviation

Civil–military coordination between the Spanish Air and Space Force and ENAIRE, the state air navigation manager, is a key factor in improving environmental sustainability in a context of high air traffic growth. Measures and agreements reinforce ENAIRE’s initiatives in airspace design and have helped enhance quality, safety, and environmental protection standards. 

Cooperation between the two institutions, together with ENAIRE’s measures in airspace management and other operational projects, has contributed to a reduction of 1,800 tonnes of CO2 and a saving of 576 tonnes of fuel in the 2025 year-to-date total. This is a direct result of achieving more efficient flight trajectories, with approximately 97,000 fewer kilometres flown, in line with the sector’s sustainability objectives. 

These milestones have been made possible thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the teams at the Spanish Air and Space Force and ENAIRE, the integration of new technologies, the optimisation of procedures, and the implementation of capacity and traffic management measures. In short, they are the result of significant advances in coordination between the Spanish Air and Space Force and ENAIRE. 

Pioneering coordination in Europe 

In 2020, ENAIRE established the Civil–Military Coordination Directorate to strengthen communication channels in all areas with the Spanish Air and Space Force. In 2022, ENAIRE and the Air and Space Force organised the first European-scale workshop, “Civil–Military Coordination in the Implementation of Flexible Airspace Use”. Over these years, mutual understanding and trust between the two organisations have grown, making them pioneers in Europe in this type of cooperation. 

The Spanish model of civil–military coordination has played a decisive role in advancing both civil and military aviation, and is now a benchmark in Europe, establishing Spain as a leader in efficient, safe, and sustainable air management. 

In recent years, civil–military collaboration between ENAIRE and the Spanish Air and Space Force has enabled agreements that support the efficient development of civil aviation, and make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. For example, the dynamic availability of airspace has been facilitated through flexible use of airspace (FUA/AFUA), with optimised airspace use plans published and time windows coordinated to allow more direct routes and greater network predictability. 

This joint civil–military work, aligned with the European AFUA framework and airspace management (ASM) procedures, has optimised the capacity of Spanish airspace by releasing areas when they are not required for military activity. This improves route efficiency, reduces delays and emissions, and enhances operational effectiveness, all within a broader strategy of sustainability and continuous improvement. 

Civil-military coordination has consolidated its position in ENAIRE's structure, facilitating cooperation in the present and preparing for new challenges in the future, such as drones and space operations. 

[Military controllers at the ENAIRE Control Center in Madrid].

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.