Spanish Government authorises upgrading the air traffic control communications service for 42.4 million euros

• This update to the digital data and voice communication equipment will result in a new, more robust and reliable system architecture that is more resilient.
• This system provides air traffic management services with the highest guarantees and enhances operational safety and cybersecurity.
• During the system transition, which will take place at the air traffic control centres in Madrid, Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Palma, Seville, and the Málaga control tower, air traffic management will not be affected, since the change will be implemented gradually.
• The Council of Ministers green lights this contract, which will ensure compliance with the Single European Sky Regulation.

Spain’s Council of Ministers authorised the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to tender a contract worth 42.2 million euros (excluding VAT) through ENAIRE to renew and modernise the air traffic control communication system and adapt it for data and voice transmission over IP.

This advances the IP digital protocol of the SACTA-iTEC air traffic control system, used by the national air navigation manager, to provide a homogeneous and scalable solution across all air traffic control centres that streamlines the operation and maintenance of the systems.