Winner 2026

Air Traffic Management technological challenges contest

Winning research group

Human-Machine Teaming

The proposal addresses the disruptions that air traffic controllers experience during their work by proposing an adaptive division of tasks between humans and AI systems based on prospective memory. It develops a socio-technical simulator capable of anticipating the appropriate moment to support the controller without interfering with their judgment.

Segundo Premio

AEROHUB: Javier Diana López (Madrid)

El fin principal de la plataforma de AEROHUB es ofrecer un sistema de oferta/demanda de servicios con drones en los que tanto operadores (individuos o pequeñas empresas) como futuros clientes que requieran este tipo de servicios puedan ponerse en contacto mediante la plataforma, sirviendo ésta de nexo para todo lo relacionado con la operación. De esta manera, se ofrecerán unos beneficios tanto para la parte del proveedor del servicio como la del cliente. En cuanto a la forma de monetizar el servicio, el objetivo sería tomar un pequeño porcentaje de cada operación que se realizará mediante la plataforma, como actualmente hacen este tipo de marketplaces en otros ámbitos de la economía mundial (AIRBNB, Wallapop, etc.). Además, existiría la posibilidad de incluir anuncios en la plataforma u ofertar otros servicios secundarios que se realizarían B2C (Business to Consumer), cobrando por cada uno de ellos de la forma estipulada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?

The ccompetition is open to university research groups or any other type of group.

What does ENAIRE do?

ENAIRE is the main provider of air navigation and aeronautical information services in Spain. It provides communications, navigation and surveillance services throughout the Spanish airspace and in the airports of the Aena network with implications in the following areas:

Air traffic services.
Operational safety.
Dynamic airspace.
High altitude airspace operations.
Free route and cross border air traffic coordination.
Improved flight paths, minimizing environmental footprint.
Automated support and virtualization.
Scalable capacity.
Network operations.
Data and application services.
U-Space operations.
Mixed air traffic integration in Joint airspace.
Integrated, streamlined and interoperable ATM infrastructure.
Facilitation of advanced passenger travel services.
Other sectors related to air traffic.

What is the purpose of this competition?

The purpose of this competition consists of finding solutions to technological challenges in the field of air transport in the medium and long term.

Will I lose my solution's intellectual property?

Contestants will be responsible for their solution and will maintain the intellectual or industrial property of their submitted solutions at all times.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is May 31^st, 2026 at 23:59 pm CET (UTC+1) although the organization reserves the right to extend the deadline.

What criteria will be taken into account in the evaluation?

The solutions submitted will be evaluated according to the quality of the information provided in the application form based on the following evaluation criteria:

Adaptation to the challenge
Applicability
Viability
Degree of innovation
Operational impact
Team composition
Projects executed by team members

Is participation in the competition activities mandatory?

Yes, each winning research group of the competition will sign a research agreement through which they will receive the 60,000€ prize. Not signing this agreement will imply a forfeiture of the prize.

What is the duration of the research agreement?

18 months.

When will the winner be announced?

The winning research groups of the competition will be informed of the mentioned condition on September 10^th, 2026.

How will I receive my award?

The award will be liquidated in the bank account indicated by the winner and will be subject to the legally established withholding (if applicable).