The Observatory for the Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability of Air Operations, established by ENAIRE, the Official College of Commercial Aviation Pilots (COPAC) and the Professional Association of Air Traffic Controllers (APROCTA), made nearly 5,000 observations throughout 2025, marking the third consecutive year with over 4,500 observations recorded. It is worth noting that each “observation” collects more than 70 data points on the relevant flight operation.
Since its establishment in 2019, the Observatory has carried out nearly 20,000 observations and has become a useful and effective initiative in defining proposals to optimise and improve operations. In fact, thanks to the work of this pioneering initiative in the aviation sector, the largest flight analysis database in Spain is currently being developed.
This has generated growing interest among pilots and air traffic controllers, who contribute their operational knowledge and experience to improving the efficiency, safety and sustainability of air transport. Indeed, the 53 pilot observers from 2025 will be joined by 24 more this year, increasing the number of observations. All pilots involved in the Observatory receive specific training through COPAC to capture data systematically and rigorously. The information collected is then classified, analysed and cross-checked to identify both best practices and areas for improvement.
In 2025, 38 air traffic controllers from ENAIRE also participated in the Observatory’s activities, coordinated by APROCTA, taking part in the analysis and findings regarding safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability based on the data collected. Their professional knowledge and judgement, shared within the Observatory with the pilot community, helps to build solid proposals for improving airspace planning and management and promotes best practices that benefit air transport and its users.
Improvements reported by the Observatory
The pilots participating in the Observatory have methodically analysed and provided valuable feedback on the measures implemented by ENAIRE in recent years in relation to airspace design and the improvement of operational procedures, such as the initiatives carried out at the airports of Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BRAIN), Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport (MIDAS), Gran Canaria Airport (HERMES) and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (AMBAR).
Likewise, thanks to the improved mutual understanding between pilots and controllers, the quality perceived by the Observatory’s pilots in the provision of Air Navigation Services by ENAIRE has increased in recent years, with almost 95% of pilots rating the service as good or very good.
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), 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 impact 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.