ENAIRE awards an artificial intelligence project that improves the processing of drone flight authorisations

ENAIRE, Spain’s national air navigation manager, has presented the awards for the third edition of the Business Ideas Competition, managed through the open innovation programme of CRIDA, its research, development and innovation (R&D&i) subsidiary.

The winning solution is an AI-based system designed to transform the way drone flight authorisations are requested and managed in Spain

This third edition of the Business Ideas Competition incubated five finalist ideas in its first phase, with Skai Permit emerging as the winner. Skai Permit is a digital solution based on artificial intelligence, designed to transform the way drone flight authorisations are requested and managed in Spain. The winning idea was developed by Alejandro Díez Martín.

In the second phase, the proof of concept demonstrated that Skai Permit provides a single, automated channel for processing drone flight authorisations. It not only automates the creation and submission of documentation to the competent authorities, but also makes it possible to assess the feasibility of each operation based on multiple factors, such as anticipated airspace occupancy, geographical restrictions, weather conditions, and the operator’s legal status.

In the event of conflicts or unforeseen circumstances, the tool can suggest alternative routes or temporary replans, improving efficiency, reducing operational risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. With this digital solution for managing permits and authorisations in drone operations, the project guarantees efficiency, safety and sustainability amid the continuous growth of drone activity in Spanish airspace, simplifying and streamlining key processes for the various actors in the aviation ecosystem while prioritising the safety of all aerial operations.

As part of its commitment to open innovation — understood as the pursuit of knowledge beyond the organisation itself, including universities, companies and startups — ENAIRE, through its subsidiary CRIDA, has launched several initiatives to progressively attract innovative talent and build an ecosystem around air traffic management. This has resulted in competitions designed to capture ideas and solutions at different stages of maturity: the Business Ideas Competition, the Technological Challenges Competition, and the Business Challenges Competition (a startup accelerator).

Investing in open innovation

During the presentation of the awards for this third edition of the Business Ideas Competition, José Luis Meler, Director of Air Navigation Services, stated: “With the presentation of these awards, we demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to investing in open innovation, an initiative through which we aim to discover ideas and potential businesses to improve the services ENAIRE provides. By opening doors to external talent and seeking new ideas, technologies and business models outside our organisation, we are making innovation a daily practice”.

José Miguel de Pablo, Director of CRIDA, also spoke, stating that the subsidiary “works every day to turn research into tangible results, real improvements that strengthen the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the system. But we know that this is only possible if we open our doors to knowledge from outside, to the creativity of young people, startups and researchers”.

Business Ideas Competition

Its aim is to bolster entrepreneurship and help transform business ideas into real solutions. Intended for undergraduates, doctoral students, professors or future entrepreneurs, the competition played out over two phases. During the first phase, five ideas were short-listed to undergo a three-month of incubation period to mature their business plan, with the idea with the best business plan being selected in the second phase.

The winning idea was developed by Alejandro Díez Martín, who received a total cash prize of €10,000, awarded in stages. During the three-month incubation period, participants received weekly mentoring from two ENAIRE mentors, Rubén Alonso Mogrovejo and Jorge Mota Madrid, as well as guidance from AD-SILO mentor David García Hernández. AD-SILO, a corporate innovation specialist, collaborates with ENAIRE and CRIDA to manage the Open Innovation Programme.

This business idea will undergo a final two-month maturation process, receiving further support from ENAIRE staff to execute a proof of concept, prototype, and validation of the business idea. The ultimate goal of this phase is to develop a tangible demonstration of the idea, proving its technical and commercial viability. This will form the foundation for creating a growth-ready company prepared to enter the market.

[Alejandro Díez Martín, winner with his idea Skai Permit, receives the award from the Director of Air Navigation Services of ENAIRE, José Luis Meler].

About CRIDA

CRIDA is a non-profit economic interest group established by ENAIRE, the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and Ingeniería y Economía del Transporte, S.A. (INECO) to improve the efficiency of the air traffic management system in Spain through R&D projects.

In collaboration with ENAIRE, CRIDA identifies problems, proposes innovative solutions and facilitates their implementation, contributing to the advancement of air navigation on a global scale.

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.