In 2025, skeyes continued the implementation of its ambitious NextGen ATM programme, a multi-year integrated technological transformation aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency, as well as preparing Belgian air traffic management for the challenges of the coming decade.
One of the biggest projects of the NextGen ATM programme is the deployment of a new ATM (Air Traffic Management) system – Top Sky ATC One – which will be used by all air traffic controllers in the control centre and control towers, by the Belgian Armed Forces and foreign partners, ensuring maximum integration and interoperability.
In preparation for this major development, milestones were reached in 2025, notably in the areas of arrival sequence management (AMAN/XMAN), the electronic stripping system (E-strip) and the ultimate back-up system.
Optimisation of technical infrastructure
In the field of airport and surrounding airspace surveillance, in 2025 skeyes commissioned an innovative WAM (Wide Area Multilateration) system around Liege Airport. A WAM system consists of several antennas distributed geographically. Thanks to its architecture, the system's performance is less affected than radars by high-rise obstacles such as wind turbines
WAM
With the development of Precision Based Navigation (PBN), the ILS (Instrument Landing System) is gradually becoming a backup alternative. skeyes is carrying out a project to renew the ILSs until 2030. In 2025, the ILS at Ostend Airport was renewed.
ILS
The evolution of aircraft navigation methods in Belgian airspace means that the role of DVOR (Doppler Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) beacons will be limited in the future. skeyes is rationalising these beacons without impacting the continuity of service. The DVOR at Charleroi airport was moved to another location in order to allow the future development of the airport.
DVOR
