In the vast majority of security-related incidents, skeyes bears no responsibility. In 2025, skeyes’ involvement was established in only 181 incidents, representing 9 per cent of the total number of incidents reported in 2025 (8 per cent in 2024). This stability demonstrates the consistency of skeyes’ excellent operational performance.
The severity of these incidents is also a relevant indicator of the level of safety. Of these 181 incidents, 136 are classified as Category E and are therefore considered to have no impact on the level of safety. 45 are classified as Category C (significant), but none fall into Categories B (major) or A (severe).
skeyes’ involvement in
security-related events
75%
of the safety-related occurrences confirmed in 2025 are category E and therefore have no impact on the level of safety.
The most reported events
4/5
In 2025, among the five most frequently reported event types, the first four positions relate to events that do not directly involve the contribution of skeyes.
Interference with wildlife is as usual at the top of the ranking with 337 events. Management of the surrounding wildlife is carried out by airport managing bodies. Charleroi Airport and Brussels Airport both experienced sharp decreases in these interactions in 2025.
In second place were airspace intrusions by general aviation, military, or government aircraft, which totaled 232 incidents. Despite awareness-raising efforts, this represents a 30% increase compared to 2024.
Thirdly, there are events which constitute offences with potentially very serious consequences, since they involve the blinding of pilots by means of laser pointers. After a sharp decrease over the past decade, these events increased by 80% in 2025 with 169 incidents. They are responsible for the 54% increase in events reported from outside, in particular from pilots.
Technical problems on aircraft are the fourth most reported event with 148 occurrences in 2025, an increase of 17%.
In fifth place are events that potentially involve the responsibility of skeyes: deviations from ATM procedures. 107 occurrences were reported in 2025, they increased by 26%. These deviations may be initiated by pilots or controllers or both. The majority concerns push-back procedures when planes are pushed out of their parking area.
Distances de sécurité, incursions sur les pistes et taxiways : meilleur signalement et amélioration de la sécurité
The primary mission of skeyes air traffic controllers is to ensure that safety distances between aircraft are maintained.
In recent years, skeyes has improved the way these distances are measured and monitored. As a result, more situations are now detected and reported. If this results in a higher number of events reported, it also contributes to an increased level of safety.
This is why events related to non-compliance with separation minima increased from 51 in 2023 to 67 in 2024 and 70 in 2025.
The majority of runway and taxiway incursions, which may concern both vehicles and aircraft, are not under the responsibility of air traffic control but occurred as a result of an error by another airport operator. A total of 50 taxiway incursions were recorded at all six Belgian airports in 2025, 14 more than in 2024. Of the 45 runway incursions recorded in 2025, only 16 involved skeyes.
To continuously improve the safety level of airport operations, skeyes cooperates with its partners in Local Runway Safety Teams to review the analysis of safety-related events and implement improvement actions.
Drones in controlled airspace: an exceptional increase
Waves of unauthorised drone overflights in particular near and above airports and sensitive areas in November 2025 led to an exceptional increase in events related to unauthorised drones. These illegal overflights increased reports from 8 in 2024 to 46 in 2025, an increase of 475% (!). 24 of these 46 events are directly attributable to the November overflights. The situation normalised as early as December.
Events on the rise
between 2024 and 2025
Events on the wane
between 2024 and 2025
75% of the safety-related events confirmed in 2025 are category E and therefore have no impact on the level of safety.
targets