ENAIRE recorded a drop in the number of flights of nearly 95% in April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a reduction in global, European and domestic traffic that is without precedent in the history of air transport.

In April, ENAIRE managed 9,627 flights, 94.7% less (173,715 flights less) than in April 2019.

International flights (4,406) fell by 95.9%; domestic flights by 91% (3,226); and overflights (those that do not depart from or land at a Spanish airport), by 95.1% (1,995).

These drops are generalised throughout every ENAIRE control centre: Palma (-96% and 1,045 flights), Barcelona (-95.8% and 3,524), Madrid (-94.7% and 5,437), Seville (-94.3% and 2,129) and the Canary Islands (-93.8% and 1,870).

First four months: cumulative data from January to April
The cumulative data for the first four months of this year shows that ENAIRE managed a total of 382,483 flights, 38.2% less (236,189 fewer flights) than in January to April of 2019.

In the four-month period as a whole, international flights (205,966) saw a decrease of 40.2%; domestic flights (86,761) fell by 35.4%; and overflights (89,756) by 35.9%.

All ENAIRE control centres reported cumulative drops, the most in Palma, and the lowest in Seville.

Mindful of the historically exceptional nature of the situation we are experiencing, ENAIRE is exercising responsibility and solidarity by deferring the collection of the route fees it charges airlines until next November.

In parallel, ENAIRE is finishing drawing up a recovery plan for air navigation services so that it is fully ready as soon as air traffic service is gradually restored. ENAIRE is strictly adhering to the guidelines of the World Health Organization and any joint decisions that are taken by the European Union regarding the timeline for fully restoring air transport.

About ENAIRE
ENAIRE is the company of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda that manages air navigation in Spain. It renders aerodrome control services at 21 airports, including the busiest in terms of air traffic, plus en-route and approach control, from five control centres: Barcelona, Madrid, Gran Canaria, Palma and Seville. In addition, ENAIRE provides communications, navigation and surveillance services to 45 air control towers.

In 2019, ENAIRE handled 2.1 million flights to and from four continents (Europe, America, Asia and Africa), transporting 300 million passengers.

ENAIRE is the fourth most important European air navigation service provider, and, in a clear commitment to the Single Sky initiative, belongs to international partnerships such as SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, A6, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).