Enrique Maurer, CEO of ENAIRE, receives the ‘Engineer of the Year 2025’ award from the Spanish Association of Aeronautical Engineers

Today, Enrique Maurer, CEO of ENAIRE, received the ‘Engineer of the Year 2025’ award from the Spanish Association of Aeronautical Engineers (COIAE).

Maurer extended his thanks for this recognition “to the entire ENAIRE team and all the people who have helped him grow professionally throughout his career”

The COIAE jury considered Enrique Maurer's significant contributions, his extensive experience and professional career spanning more than three decades, as well as his strong commitment to the Spanish and international aeronautical sector and industry. Maurer began his career by studying aeronautical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, specialising in navigation and air transport.

At the award ceremony, Enrique Maurer expressed his deep gratitude to the COIAE for their generosity and extended his thanks “to the entire ENAIRE team and to all the people who, throughout my career, have helped me grow professionally and become increasingly committed to the development of a sector that is key to the country’s economic and social progress”. “This award is undoubtedly a boost to continue growing and contributing from ENAIRE to the advancement of aeronautical engineering,” Maurer stated.

More than three decades of service

Maurer began his career at Aena in 1994, developing professionally in the area of air navigation within the field of communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems. In 2001, he went on to manage Aena's Satellite Navigation Certification Department, where he led the implementation and deployment of the infrastructure for the EGNOS system in Spain, and was responsible for the project of the first GBAS precision instrument approach facility installed in Spain, and the second in Europe, at the Málaga-Costa del Sol airport, in close cooperation with the FAA of the USA.

In 2008, he took on the role of Director of Operations at Aena, which encompassed full responsibility for technical operations, verification of air navigation systems, and the management of aeronautical information.

From 2012 to 2017, he led the Systems Department at ENAIRE, responsible for managing communication, navigation and surveillance systems, air traffic management systems, and for technical operations and information systems.

Between 2017 and 2023, he served as Director of Air Navigation Services, and in June 2023, he was appointed Director General of ENAIRE, succeeding Ángel Luis Arias, who had also received the Engineer of the Year award in 2016.

In 2023, he received the ICARO Award from the Real Aero Club de España, and in November 2024, the Sabadell Aeroclub Award for his contribution to general and sports aviation.

In October 2024, the Spanish Air and Space Force awarded Maurer the Grand Cross of Aeronautical Merit, the highest recognition given for actions and achievements of great significance, in this case, for reinforcing civil-military coordination in our country.

Additionally, in December 2024, the European Commission, with the unanimous support of its member states, appointed Enrique Maurer as Chairman of the Board of the European Air Traffic Network Manager for the years 2025 and 2026.

[Enrique receiving the award from the Dean of the Official College of Aeronautical Engineers of Spain (COIAE), José Manuel Hesse, in the presence of Elena Mayoral, Director General of AENA Airports].

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.