Fifth anniversary of cooperation between civil and military air navigation services in Steenokkerzeel
Brussels, 2 December 2024 --- Today marks the fifth anniversary of the CIV-MIL air traffic control cooperation project. The Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC), which was previously based in Semmerzake, East Flanders, moved to the skeyes site in Steenokkerzeel on 2 December 2019. Since then, civil and military air traffic controllers share the same workplace. Specifically, this cooperation means that both civil and military air traffic controllers work from the same CANAC2 air traffic control centre, which offers significant benefits, such as a more efficient, safe, sustainable and dynamic use of Belgian airspace.
After 5 years of co-location, we can look back on many successful realisations within this project:
In June 2020, cooperation was further strengthened by the commissioning of the new ‘supervisor suite’. Direct interaction allows civil and military supervisors to communicate and coordinate more quickly and effectively, optimising the use of airspace capacity.
Within the framework of flexible use of airspace in Belgium, the Airspace Management Cell (AMC) became operational on 21 September 2020. This joint civil-military airspace management cell continuously works together to improve the safety and capacity of airspace and increase the flexibility of civil and military flight operations.
In addition, in the area of air traffic controller training, there is intensive cooperation between the military ATC School and Entry Point North Belgium, a joint venture with skeyes.
An important milestone was also achieved in the field of aeronautical information. Since 13 June 2024, there has been only one NOTAM Office in Belgium, responsible for compiling, managing and distributing essential aeronautical information to both civil and military airspace users.
Furthermore, skeyes and Defence jointly presented a roadmap to the Belgian wind energy sector on 20 June 2024. This plan outlines the safe development of wind energy in more locations, with airspace safety remaining a top priority.
There are still professional challenges ahead in the coming years to further develop the joint agreements.
By 2030, both air traffic control entities, skeyes and the ATCC, aim to achieve full integration. This entails a shared pool of civilian and military air traffic controllers using the same Air Traffic Management system. These air traffic controllers will hold the required air traffic control licenses to manage both General Air Traffic (civilian) and Operational Air Traffic (military). This will require a standardized concept of operations, identical working methods, and minimal to no distinction between military and civilian airspace sectors.
