• The document, published in collaboration with ENAIRE, provides guidelines for the submission and processing of applications for HAO operations with high-altitude platforms (HAPS).
• These operations are a growing area of unmanned civil aviation, driving the development of new high-altitude capabilities and applications.
• AESA has already issued operational authorisations for various HAPS projects promoted by companies and technology centres.

Madrid, 31 August 2026 (AESA)

The State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), with the collaboration of ENAIRE, has published the Guide for the Processing of Applications for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) with Unmanned Platforms (UAS). This new reference document is intended for operators wishing to conduct high-altitude civil operations with HAPS (High-Altitude Platform Systems) platforms in a specific category.

The growth of OEF operations, an emerging area of unmanned civil aviation, poses new challenges for their integration into the aeronautical system. Therefore, it is necessary to have procedures and criteria that allow to address its incorporation in an orderly and safe way.

For this purpose, AESA and ENAIRE have developed this guide as guidance material to facilitate the processing of applications for authorisation of OEF operations with unmanned HAPS platforms.

The document sets out the main considerations that operators should take into account when preparing and submitting their applications, as well as the different coordination processes that may be necessary depending on the characteristics and level of risk of each operation.

 

Safety and integration into airspace

One of the main objectives of the guide is to help these operations to be carried out while maintaining the levels of safety required by the applicable regulations.

To this end, the document provides indications on the information and documentation that must accompany applications and on the elements that must be considered in the safety assessment of the operation.

In addition, it sets out the main actions related to airspace coordination, including interaction with air navigation service providers where necessary.

This coordination is particularly relevant in operations which, due to their characteristics and flight altitudes, require adequate planning and specific assessment of their possible interaction with other airspace users.

 

One more step in the incorporation of new technologies

The publication of this guide is part of the work of AESA to accompany the industry in the evolution of this sector and facilitate the safe incorporation of new technologies and operating models.

The development of OEF operations and HAPS platforms is a line of interest for civil aviation because of their potential to develop new applications and services from the stratosphere.

In Spain, several HAPS projects promoted by companies and technology centers are already being developed, such as AALTO, ELSON Space and CATEC, for which AESA has issued operational authorization.

These initiatives progressively advance their testing activities, contributing to the technological maturity of these systems and bringing closer the objective of performing regular operations at stratospheric altitudes.

The evolution of these projects represents a relevant step for the future implementation of operations in upper airspace and for the development of new capabilities associated with unmanned stratospheric platforms, consolidating Spain's position as a reference environment for research, experimentation and deployment of HAPS systems in Europe.

 

This guide is already available in the reference documentation of the Operational Authorization section under Specific Category of the AESA website. Check it out here.