“In 2024, skeyes proved once again, thanks to strong partnerships and targeted innovations, that efficiency is the key to safety, sustainability and technological progress. Together, we’re building a solid foundation for the future and creating an airspace management system ready to meet the challenges ahead.”
Johan Decuyper
CEO
2024 was an exceptional and impactful year for skeyes.
I am delighted to present this annual report, highlighting our notable achievements, dedicated team, and the ambitious, forward-looking path we have set for the future
The aviation sector has shown clear signs of recovery, de- spite flight movements remaining 9% below the pre-pan- demic levels of 2019. Nevertheless, in 2024 we successfully managed a 4% increase from the previous year, handling 946,768 flight movements.
Safety remains our absolute top priority, which resulted in the third-best safety performance in our history: only two Category B incidents and none in Category A. This once again demonstrates that we take our responsibilities with the utmost seriousness. These results not only reflect the strength of our safety culture but also highlight the impor- tance of our Just Culture incident reporting policy.
Skeyes continued to strengthen its reputation for punctuality, achieving an average En-route delay of just 0.08 min- utes per flight. Impressively, 99.4% of flights were handled punctually, surpassing our ambitious targets. This perfor- mance gained recognition both within and outside the avi- ation sector.
Our financial stability enabled substantial investments in safety, innovation, and sustainability–pillars critical to our continued growth. Innovation remains at the heart of our fu- ture vision. With flagship projects such as the Remote Digital Tower Project, we are reaffirming our ambition to remain at the cutting edge of technological innovation. The construc- tion of our ultra-modern control centre in Namur is progress- ing according to schedule, with a view to providing remote management of Liège and Charleroi Airports by 2026.
Strategically, we continue to advance technologically. In 2024, we signed a significant agreement with THALES for the implementation of the TopSky (MLU3) air traffic control system, a next-generation solution destined to become the core of our operations from 2028 onwards. Meanwhile, our current Eurocat system underwent an extensive Mid-Life Upgrade to meet contemporary aviation safety standards until the new system becomes fully operational.
Our employees remain our greatest asset. Continued in- vestments in training and recruitment have strengthened our workforce. In 2024, we welcomed 19 new air traffic con- trollers and nearly a hundred technical and administrative staff, reaching a total workforce of 982 employees. skeyes remains committed to building a strong reputation as an attractive, trustworthy employer to attract and retain top talent.
We made notable strides in sustainability in 2024. skeyes was once again awarded CANSO GreenATM Level 3 certifi- cation, and we are actively pursuing Level 4 as part of our long-term environmental commitment. Recognising that sustainability is a collective effort, we engage our employ- ees in meaningful green initiatives–such as tree planting activities linked to nature compensation projects.
We also introduced a bike lease program to promote more sustainable commuting habits and reduce car dependen- cy. At the same time, we continued the electrification of our vehicle fleet, further reducing our carbon footprint and supporting our ambition to operate in a more climate-re- sponsible way.
Through more efficient flight trajectories and innovative procedures such as Continuous Descent Operations and the HERON project, we significantly reduced aviation’s en- vironmental impact. Additionally, in collaboration with De- fense, we continue working on harmonizing wind energy initiatives with aviation safety.
he growing use of drones and new military aircraft plat- forms introduced fresh challenges to Belgium’s busy air- space. As a Common Information Service Provider, skeyes played a pivotal role in safely integrating unmanned air-craft by proactively developing operational frameworks. Notable projects such as BURDI and the introduction of drone operations in the Port of Antwerp demonstrate our forward-thinking approach
Our civil-military collaboration, further strengthened by five years of co-location, remains essential for the efficient and safe management of our airspace. We continue to invest in this partnership emphasizing flexibility and optimal utiliza- tion of Belgium’s limited airspace.
Our journey continues. Whether it’s about safety, efficiency, innovation or sustainability, skeyes remains firmly commit- ted to strengthening its leading role in the Belgian and Eu- ropean aviation sector.
Looking ahead, our focus remains firmly on delivering ex- cellent service to our customers and partners. Initiatives like “skeyesConnect” continue to enhance sector-wide collabo- ration and communication. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead, committed to innovation, growth, and sustainable development.
Johan Decuyper
CEO
You are holding our 2024 Annual Report, a reflection of skeyes’ strong and ongoing commitment to safety, effi- ciency, and sustainability. As Chair of the Board of Directors, I take great pride in what we have achieved together over the past year.
Thanks to a sound and forward-looking financial strategy, we were able to make bold investments–such as in our dig- ital towers–and take decisive strategic steps, including the implementation of TopSky and our accession to Alliance One. These initiatives provide skeyes with the technological foundation needed to meet the challenges of the coming decades and to maintain a meaningful role in the evolving world of air navigation. In our sector, innovation and adapt- ability are not optional–they are vital.
Alongside our technological advances, safety and opera- tional efficiency continue to be skeyes’ guiding principles. In recent months, European airspace has been tested by a number of disruptive factors: geopolitical tensions, cli- mate-related challenges, staffing shortages, and industrial unrest have all contributed to network-wide delays. In this complex environment, we remain steadfast in our ambition to position skeyes as a trailblazer within European air navi- gation services.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. In a critical article on European air traffic management, a Belgian financial newspaper had some particularly complimentary words for skeyes. This clear sign of recognition is a confirmation that we are on the right path–and that we have the people and the vision required to face the future with confidence.
While our operations remained largely unaffected in 2024, we are fully aware of the growing importance of cybersecu- rity. The protection of our networks and critical infrastruc- ture against external threats is a constant and ongoing pri- ority. Our operations rely on sophisticated IT systems that process and share essential data, which is why we placed cybersecurity at the forefront of our IT strategy. In 2024, we finalised a strategic security plan that sets out concrete measures to strengthen our resilience and ensure the high- est standards of digital safety.
Our ambition also reaches beyond conventional aviation. In the fast-growing field of unmanned aviation, skeyes is tak- ing a leading role. Under our coordination, the BURDI pro- ject–set for completion in 2025–will deliver Europe’s first ful- ly operational U-space airspace model, located in the Port of Antwerp. This pioneering initiative lays the groundwork for a robust operational and regulatory framework that en- ables economically viable drone flights, giving momentum to a young and innovative sector ready to scale.
Excellence at this level is never accidental. It requires the right conditions–sound strategy, advanced technology, and a clear vision. But more than that, it depends on the com- mitment, professionalism, and passion of people. I would therefore like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all skeyes employees and the management for their unwavering ded- ication and invaluable contribution to our shared success.
Laurent Vrijdaghs
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Air traffic efficiency is like a chain whose strength depends on each link.
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