NAV Portugal achieved a significant operational milestone this month, with the integration of Aireon space-based automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) in the western sectors of the Lisbon FIR.
NAV Portugal has been operational with Aireon data in the oceanic Santa Maria FIR since 2023, but the addition of the Lisbon FIR further enhances the ANSP’s situational awareness in its airspace.
This enhancement strengthens the Ground-Based surveillance coverage between 13ºW and 15ºW, and adds coverage up to 100NM inside the Santa Maria FIR for situational awareness purposes, enabling a fundamental step forward in the ATM/ANS services provided by NAV Portugal:
- Uniform application of 5NM separation minima across the entire Lisbon FIR;
- More efficient flight profiles for airspace users;
- Increased operational consistency and predictability in continental/oceanic transition airspace.
This achievement is the result of a combined evolution of technical & operational capabilities, bringing together:
NAV Portugal said the space-Based ADS-B is a key enabler within a broader, integrated surveillance architecture, reinforcing resilience and performance.
Looking ahead, this capability will also support the full implementation of Free Route Airspace between the Lisbon and Santa Maria FIR, contributing to a more seamless and efficient airspace across the Europe-North Atlantic interface, the ANSP said.
