Plus Ultra participates in the European ECHOES project

Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas is collaborating in ECHOES, a European project aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of real-time VHF satellite communications on a global scale. The initiative is particularly relevant for oceanic, remote, and polar areas, where continuous links between aircraft and air traffic control are currently not possible due to the lack of ground coverage.

The project, co-funded by the European Union, is led by Startical, a company formed by the national air navigation service provider ENAIRE and Indra, which this year launched the first two satellites, achieving real-time VHF voice and data communications from low orbit.

Plus Ultra’s participation focuses on operational in-flight tests where crews validate the use of VHF communications. The testing phase began in the oceanic airspace of the Canary Islands (ENAIRE), extends to Santa Maria in the Azores (NAV Portugal), and other Atlantic airspaces such as Cape Verde (ASA), Dakar (ASECNA), and Brazil (DECEA).

The new system will allow real-time data collection on flight performance, essential for developing sustainability solutions and creating predictive models, such as preventing persistent contrails.

In addition, the proposed solution includes surveillance services and will help reduce aircraft separation distances, increase airspace capacity, and enable optimal routes (User Preferred Routing), resulting in fuel savings and reduced emissions.

According to Plus Ultra’s Chief Operating Officer, Alejandro Casado, participating in this program:

is a consequence of our company’s experience in long-haul transoceanic flights and the development of operations recognized within the industry. Both factors allow us to contribute to pioneering technological initiatives for air traffic management.