Aena

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aena is the name of the Spanish state owned company that owns and manage all Spanish airports. Aena is also responsible of the Air Traffic Control all over Spain. AENA means "Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegacion Aerea", literally "Spanish Airports and Air Navigation".

Currently Aena is undergoing a major airport expansion program. A 6.2 billion euro expansion of Madrid Barajas International Airport was inaugurated in 2006. Major expansion at Barcelona International Airport and Málaga Airport will be finished by 2008. Lots of other airports on the network will be expanded to accommodate the increasing air traffic demand.

Aena is the biggest airport operator in the world, with participations in airports in Mexico, USA, Cuba, Colombia, Bolivia, Sweden and the UK.

Aena's proprietary Air Traffic Control system is called SACTA. Licensed to NATS, the British Air Traffic Control authority, was be due to be rolled out to the UK at NATS’ Prestwick centre in 2009 and then to Swanwick in 2012.

During 2005, 181 Millions passengers used the AENA airports in Spain.

Aena airports feature modern building facades and a standardized set of signs which are used in all of its airports.

Rumors of privatizing Aena has been heard. But because of the inmense expansion program has been called off momentarly.

An explanation of what Aena is, can be read in English, in the 2004 version of Aena's annual report here, 2004 Aena's annual report