SKEYES

Their core work

Skeyes is Belgium's air navigation service provider (ANSP), responsible for managing air traffic control across Belgian airspace. In H2020, they contribute operational expertise and real-world airspace data to European aviation research, particularly within the SESAR programme for modernizing air traffic management. Their involvement spans ATM performance optimization, advanced landing systems, AI-driven flight planning, drone integration (U-space), and sustainable airport operations — always from the perspective of a working ANSP implementing these technologies in live airspace.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Skeyes' early H2020 involvement (2016–2019) centered on traditional ATM concerns: airspace performance analysis (Vista) and improved landing procedures (AAL2). From 2020 onward, their focus shifted sharply toward digitalization and sustainability — machine learning for flight planning (Dispatcher3), drone airspace integration (SAFIR-Med), and green airport operations with digital twins (STARGATE). This trajectory mirrors the broader European aviation transition from optimizing existing operations to fundamentally rethinking airspace for new entrants (drones) and climate goals.

Skeyes is moving toward becoming a digitally advanced ANSP capable of managing mixed airspace (manned + unmanned) while supporting Europe's green aviation transition.

How they like to work

Skeyes participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as an operational ANSP contributing real-world infrastructure and expertise rather than leading research. With 65 unique partners across 16 countries, they connect broadly across the European aviation research ecosystem. Their value to consortia is clear: they provide access to live Belgian airspace operations, making them an essential validation partner for any technology that needs to work in a real ATC environment.

Skeyes has collaborated with 65 distinct partners across 16 countries, reflecting deep integration into the SESAR and European aviation research community. Their network spans ANSPs, aerospace companies, research institutes, and technology providers across Western and Central Europe.

What sets them apart

As Belgium's national ANSP, skeyes offers something most research partners cannot: operational authority over real airspace. Any consortium developing ATM tools, drone integration systems, or airport sustainability solutions gains a direct path to live validation and deployment in Belgian airspace. Their dual engagement in both U-space (SAFIR-Med) and green aviation (STARGATE) positions them at the intersection of two of Europe's most active aviation policy areas.

Highlights from their portfolio

• STARGATE
  Their largest funded project (EUR 192,500) and most ambitious scope — covers hydrogen, digital twins, sustainable fuels, and electric vehicles for airport decarbonization through 2026.
• SAFIR-Med
  Addresses medical drone delivery with U-space integration — a high-visibility use case combining safety-critical airspace management with humanitarian applications.
• Dispatcher3
  Applies machine learning to real flight planning data, representing skeyes' entry into AI-assisted air traffic operations.