ENAIRE

01/27/2023 | Press release | Archived content

ENAIRE reduced CO2 emissions by 285,000 tonnes between 2017 and 2022 by constantly improving the route network

27 JAN2023

ENAIRE reduced CO2 emissions by 285,000 tonnes between 2017 and 2022 by constantly improving the route network

Tomorrow, 29 January, International Reducing CO2 Emissions Day, ENAIRE, Spain's air navigation service provider, recalls its firm environmental commitment to sustainable aviation.

ENAIRE prevented the emission of 285,000 tonnes of CO2 between 2017 and 2022 by continuously improving the air route network.

Thanks to the efficiency of the Spanish route network, flight efficiency in 2022 exceeded 96%

Thanks to the efficiency of Spain's route network, designed by ENAIRE, flight efficiency in 2022 exceeded 96% (96.68%).

Over the past year, thanks to ENAIRE's management, nearly 1.6 million nautical miles were avoided, equivalent to 64 trips around the Earth, saving airlines over 17,100 tonnes of fuel and preventing almost 54,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2022.

ENAIRE's Sustainability Strategy

ENAIRE's sustainability strategy, known as "Green Sky", is part of its Strategic Plan, the 2025 Flight Plan, and is based on three initiatives: "Fly Clean", "Fly Quiet" and Eco-ENAIRE.

With "Fly Clean", ENAIRE is improving flight efficiency by optimising the air route network. Flight distances are being shortened by adapting the airspace, in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, to enable the flexible and coordinated use of civilian traffic routes through restricted military areas, thus allowing for more direct flights. We are also planning for improved vertical efficiency through continuous climbs and descents, and by using optimal cruise levels.

The second course of action, "Fly Quiet", is focused on reducing the effect of noise on towns near airports. ENAIRE is systematically evaluating the impact of all its flight manoeuvre paths and, in partnership with Aena, is monitoring the sound levels resulting from the approach and take-off paths, and fostering active communication with affected residents and municipalities.

The third "Green Sky" measure is the Eco-ENAIRE initiative, which lays out improved environmental management at our work centres. Based on energy audits, ENAIRE has defined an ambitious energy efficiency plan that will provide renewable energy to power all of its air control centres and major air navigation facilities. ENAIRE will optimise the use of lights by relying on LED technology, it will further its sustainable urban mobility campaign with a plan to decarbonise its fleet of vehicles, and it will install charging points for electric vehicles. In the same vein, ENAIRE will continue to purchase 100% of its electricity from certified renewable sources, a measure that, since 2015, has saved almost 79,000 tonnes of CO2.

"As part of its firm commitment to the fight against climate change, ENAIRE is working hard every day to improve flight efficiency in our airspace and reduce aircraft emissions", says Gema Haro, the head of ENAIRE's Quality and Environment Division.

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 and participates in 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, as the agency appointed by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda to implement the U-space system in Spain, will be the provider of the Common Information Services (CIS), which are essential for administering U-space services to drones and Urban Air Mobility, in interaction with local air traffic control services, so that all types of aircraft can fly safely in the same airspace.

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.