Safer Skies Over Tenerife: A New 3D Radar Takes Flight
Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Passengers travelling via Tenerife South Airport can now benefit from a major upgrade to the island’s air traffic surveillance, thanks to ENAIRE’s new state-of-the-art 3D primary radar, the first of its kind in the Canary Islands.
What is ENAIRE?
ENAIRE is Spain’s national air navigation service provider. It manages air traffic control across Spanish airspace, including the Canary Islands, and is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of around two million flights every year. If you’re flying in or out of Tenerife, ENAIRE’s systems and controllers are quietly working in the background to help keep your journey safe.
What’s special about the new radar?
This advanced 3D primary radar, now fully operational, marks a significant step forward in tracking and guiding aircraft. Unlike conventional radar, it provides information in three dimensions: direction, distance, and altitude. That means air traffic controllers can monitor aircraft more precisely, especially important in a region with busy skies and varied terrain.
The new radar covers around 185 km and strengthens surveillance over a key international flight corridor. It can even detect aircraft flying near wind farms, which typically interfere with older systems.
Another big plus is its ability to reduce unwanted echoes and false signals, which often confuse radar systems. By filtering out this interference, the new technology delivers cleaner, more accurate tracking, allowing for faster responses in the event of unexpected situations.
Why should passengers care?
This isn’t just technical news for aviation insiders. For passengers, the benefits are very real:
- Safer skies: With better detection and fewer blind spots, controllers can monitor every aircraft more effectively.
- Fewer delays: Improved surveillance makes it easier to manage busy airspace and keep flights running on schedule.
- A smoother journey: Aircraft can follow more efficient routes, which helps save fuel and reduce emissions. This is good for the planet as well as your travel experience.
Whether you’re arriving for a beach break or jetting off after your holiday, this new radar is quietly working to make your journey safer, more reliable, and just a little more comfortable.
For more information, see the ENAIRE website:
