ENAIRE highlights its "Green Sky" Sustainability Plan as part of the company's strategy for the coming years

On the occasion of World Energy Efficiency Day, which is held today, 5th March, ENAIRE, Spanish air navigation service provider, showcases its environmental commitment, as reflected in its “Green Sky” Sustainability Plan. This initiative is included in the company’s Strategic Plan, known as the 2025 Flight Plan.

"Green Sky", ENAIRE's Sustainability Plan, is based on three basic pillars:

- reducing atmospheric emissions (Fly Clean).

- reducing noise levels in airport environments in Spain (Fly Quiet).

- improving the environmental management of its centres and facilities throughout Spain (Eco-ENAIRE).

ENAIRE provided direct routing for 61% of the flights that were operated in Spanish airspace in 2020

Fewer emissions

The measures contained in "Fly Clean" are geared towards reducing the emissions produced by aircraft by improving flight efficiency. The more efficient a flight, the lower the aircraft's fuel consumption, with the ensuing reduction in atmospheric emissions.

The actions contained in this initiative involve optimising the air route network by designing PBN procedures; managing flights so as to allow for direct point-to-point routes; shortening flight distances through civil-military coordination with the Ministry of Defence to improve the shared use of restricted military areas and support the Digital Single European Sky.

Similarly, the Sustainability Plan includes improving vertical efficiency through continuous descents and climbs, and by using optimal cruise levels.

9 million kilometres saved

In 2020, ENAIRE provided direct routing to 61% of the flights operating in Spanish airspace, saving airlines almost 9 million kilometres. ENAIRE’s flight management has saved approximately 53,000 tonnes of fuel and prevented the emission of 168,000 tonnes of CO₂ (some 8 million trees would be needed to absorb that much CO₂).

In addition, in 2020, around 34% of flights landing at Spanish airports used a continuous descent operation (CDO), known as a green approach, and 82% of all take-offs used a continuous climb operation (CCO). Both of these translate into significant fuel savings for air carriers and reduce the amount of atmospheric emissions.

Lower sound levels

Another course of action is "Fly Quiet". In this area, ENAIRE systematically assesses the impact of all its flight manoeuvre projects, collaborating with AENA to monitor the sound levels resulting from the approach and take-off paths, and fostering active communication with the affected citizens and municipalities.

Energy efficiency in its facilities

Another pillar of the “Green Sky” plan is the “Eco-ENAIRE” initiative, which represents the company’s direct contribution to combating climate change through the improved environmental management of its own centres and facilities in Spain.

As a result of the energy audits carried out, ENAIRE has outlined an energy efficiency plan that will produce renewable energy to enable its control centres and major air navigation facilities to become self-sufficient.

ENAIRE will also optimise lighting consumption by using LED technology.

Similarly, ENAIRE will uphold its sustainable urban mobility campaign with a plan to decarbonise its fleet of vehicles, and by installing charging points for electric vehicles at its work centres. In the same vein, ENAIRE will continue to procure 100% of its electricity from certified renewable sources, a measure that has saved almost 79,000 tonnes of CO₂ since 2015.

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 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 Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, A6 Alliance, iTEC, CANSO and ICAO.

ENAIRE is the official provider of aeronautical information in Spain.