ENAIRE rewards innovation in the third edition of the Business Ideas Competition in Air Traffic Management

Today, ENAIRE, Spain’s national air navigation manager, held the awards ceremony for the third edition of the Business Ideas Competition in Air Traffic Management, organised through CRIDA, its Research, Development and Innovation subsidiary.

The event, held at ENAIRE's headquarters, brought together the company's executives, representatives of the entrepreneurial and academic ecosystem, and the finalists of the event.

Aimed at students, graduates, and entrepreneurs, this competition seeks to foster creativity and talent in a key sector for the future of air transport, promoting innovative solutions capable of transforming air traffic management.

Winners of the 2025 edition

Among the more than 70 proposals presented in this edition, five innovative ideas were recognised for their impact and viability:

First Prize (5,000 euros + incubation): Air Traffic Assistant - SARA.

- Author: Olga Isabel Pérez Encarnación.

- Description: technological tool to improve access to and management of aeronautical information in control towers, control centres, and flight dispatch, optimising operational efficiency and decision-making.

Second Prize (3,000 euros + incubation): SkAI Permit - Flight clearances with AI.

- Author: Alejandro Díez Martín.

- Description: tool for automating the application and approval processes for drone flights that relies on artificial intelligence.

Third Prize (1,000 euros + incubation): DroneMaps.

- Author: Belén Gómez Arnaldo.

- Description: platform for optimising drone routes that considers the duration, energy consumption, restricted airspace and other conditions selected by the user, using technologies similar to car navigation systems to guide drones in real time.

Two projects with access to incubation:

SKYCONECTA Personalised flight experience platform with real-time data.

- Author: Leire Montero Izquierdo.

- Description: platform that allows passengers to access personalised information on their flight in real time.

Talk2ATC

- Author: Iván Beneyto Rodríguez

- Description: multi-platform application to improve communication training in air traffic control (ATC) environments by interacting with artificial intelligence.

A boost to innovation in the aviation sector

The five projects selected were not only recognised for their excellence, but will also take part in an incubation programme designed to help entrepreneurs develop their ideas, with specialised mentorship and training in business and technology.

Once the incubation phase is complete, the Selection Committee will evaluate the business plans of each of the five finalists, and the Jury will choose the winning idea of the competition, the author of which will receive a €6,000 prize. This winner will also be eligible to win an additional prize of €10,000 to develop their proof of concept, bring the winning idea to life, and demonstrate its potential in a real-world environment.

During the awards ceremony, ENAIRE's CEO, Enrique Maurer, highlighted the impact of this programme within ENAIRE's Open Innovation strategy: “At ENAIRE, we view open innovation as a driver of change, and we believe in emerging talent and its ability to provide disruptive solutions to the challenges of modern aviation”.

José Miguel de Pablo, CRIDA's Director, noted the importance of initiatives like this one: “Innovation in air traffic management is key to the future of the sector. This competition demonstrates the great talent that exists and our commitment to fostering it. Each of these ideas has the potential to improve the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of airspace".

ENAIRE Open Innovation: a commitment to talent

This competition is part of ENAIRE Open Innovation, an initiative that promotes collaboration between the aviation sector and the entrepreneurial community.

In addition to the Business Ideas Competition, ENAIRE, true to its commitment to digital transformation and the continuous improvement of air navigation services, is promoting two more competitions: the Technological Challenges Competition, aimed at research groups that can provide technological solutions from any sector focused on air transport; and the Business Challenges Competition, with registrations open from 1st April, which offers an acceleration programme for startups.

For more more details about this contest, and the ENAIRE Open Innovation program in general, visit: ENAIRE OPEN INNOVATION. 

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.