SKYGUIDE, SA SUISSE POUR LES SERVICES DE LA NAVIGATION AERIENNE CIVILS ET MILITAIRES

Their core work

Skyguide is Switzerland's national air navigation service provider, responsible for civil and military air traffic control across Swiss airspace and parts of neighboring airspace. In H2020, they serve as a real-world operational environment for testing and validating next-generation air traffic management (ATM) concepts developed under the SESAR programme — Europe's flagship initiative to modernize airspace. Their contributions span controller tools, trajectory management, runway optimization, and digital network services, bringing the perspective of a live ANSP into research that would otherwise remain theoretical.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016-2019), Skyguide's work centered on foundational SESAR building blocks: demand-capacity balancing, master planning, RPAS integration, and runway throughput — the core operational challenges of modernizing European airspace. From 2019 onward, the focus shifted notably toward digital and intelligent systems: machine learning for situational awareness (AISA), trajectory prediction with datalink technologies (4D Skyways, ADSCENSIO), and virtual centre concepts for de-fragmented airspace management. This evolution mirrors the broader SESAR trajectory from operational optimization toward automation and digitalization of air traffic services.

Skyguide is moving toward AI-augmented controller support and virtual/distributed ATM architectures, making them an increasingly relevant partner for automation and digitalization projects in aviation.

How they like to work

Skyguide participates exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for ANSPs that bring operational validation environments rather than research leadership. With 129 unique partners across 27 countries, they operate within large SESAR consortia (often 10+ members per project), functioning as a trusted operational testbed. Their consistent presence across SESAR Wave 1 (PJ-series) and Wave 2 (W2/W3-series) projects indicates they are a stable, long-term partner valued for continuity and real-world expertise.

Skyguide has collaborated with 129 unique partners across 27 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected ANSPs in the SESAR ecosystem. Their network spans virtually all major European aviation research players — other ANSPs, aerospace manufacturers, research centres, and technology providers.

What sets them apart

Skyguide occupies a rare position as a non-EU ANSP (Switzerland) deeply embedded in the SESAR programme, managing both civil and military airspace — a dual mandate that few European ANSPs hold. Their compact but complex airspace (surrounded by major European air routes) makes them an ideal testbed for cross-border operations, virtual centre concepts, and advanced trajectory management. For consortium builders, they offer something hard to find elsewhere: a real operational environment willing to trial experimental ATM concepts at a meaningful scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PJ18-W2 4D Skyways
  Largest single funding (EUR 1.48M) — focused on 4D trajectory management with ADS-C, conflict detection, and datalink technologies, representing Skyguide's deepest technical commitment.
• AISA
  Marks Skyguide's entry into AI for ATM — applying machine learning, knowledge graphs, and ontologies to build artificial situational awareness for controllers.
• PJ32-W3 VC (Virtual Centre)
  Forward-looking project on virtualisation and de-fragmentation of air traffic services, directly relevant to the future architecture of European airspace management.