Computer System Failure at Enaire Causes Significant Delays at Alicante Airport and Other Major Airports
Friday, June 30th, 2023
A partial malfunction in Enaire’s computer system responsible for flight plans has resulted in significant delays at Alicante Airport and other major airports in Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and Catalonia on Friday, June 30, 2023. Enaire, the Spanish air navigation manager overseeing air traffic control, handles a substantial volume of approximately 2 million flights annually, making it the fourth-largest air navigation service provider in Europe.
Enaire manages 2.2 million square kilometers of airspace through five air control centers located in Barcelona, the Canary Islands, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, and Seville. Additionally, it operates 21 control towers to ensure safe and efficient air travel. However, between 10:30 and 12:45, a significant glitch occurred within the system, leading to disruptions and delays for numerous passengers.
Despite the technical setback, Enaire promptly responded by emphasizing that flight operations were not halted during the incident. In collaboration with technical experts, the Enaire team managed to restore normal operations as soon as possible. Fortunately, the system is now functioning smoothly and air traffic is gradually recovering from the disruption.
However, the aftermath of the computer system failure will inevitably result in a backlog of delayed flights. Travellers should anticipate that the residual effects of this incident may still be noticeable for several more hours. Passengers are advised to stay updated with flight information, contact their airlines for specific instructions, and allow extra time when planning their journeys. Nevertheless, with the system restored and operations back on track, it is expected that the backlog of delayed flights will gradually diminish, enabling travelers to resume their journeys smoothly.
