ENAIRE relies on digital control towers to improve efficiency and performance

ENAIRE, Spain’s national air navigation manager, took part today in a virtual conference on “Remote towers at airports and their viability in Spain”, organised by the Universidad Pontificia Comillas and the Spanish Association of Aviation and Space Law, in concert with the Spanish Aeronautical Society.

ENAIRE’s presentation, titled “New operating modes: from remote towers to digital towers”, was given by the Director of Air Navigation Services, Enrique Maurer, who noted that ENAIRE is committed to the digitisation of control towers, including their remote operation, to enhance their efficiency and improve their current performance, especially in reduced visibility conditions.

“The trend in air control is digitisation and automation, all supported by gradual and increasing virtualisation, in combination with the phasing in of new technological concepts”, he stressed.

“Future control towers will feature more digitisation and automation, which will make it possible for systems to contribute more to the advancement of the current mode of operation, based on the need for adequate visibility of
the airfield and apron, which will result in improved safety with new alert and compliance features; improved operations at complex airports; improved capacity in adverse weather situations; smoother operations and lower
infrastructure costs and operating expenses”, he explained. It will also result in “integrated system information and enhance how traffic is presented visually and automate this process”.

Also taking part in the video conference were representatives from other entities in the aeronautical sector: Aena, AESA, CEANITA, FSAI, Indra and the Spanish Aeronautical Society.