skeyes and SkeyDrone support the deployment of drones by the Brussels police force

Press Release

Steenokkerzeel 26 april 2025 - The Brussels Capital Ixelles local police zone has officially received the green light for the deployment of three drone-in-a-box systems in the conduct of police operations. This innovative step marks an important evolution in the use of technology for public safety.

© Foto Citymesh
© Foto Citymesh

The unmanned aircraft will be deployed to map the situation on site prior to the arrival of patrols. Based on this real-time information, the emergency services can make a better estimate of the necessary resources and personnel.

The drones and pilots are provided by Citymesh. With over 600 BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight) flights carried out this year for the Fire Department, they have extensive experience. They have repeatedly proven to be a real added value as "extra eyes in the sky" for the emergency services.

SkeyDrone, acting as a drone traffic controller or U-space service provider, ensures the safe execution of these flight operations. This is done on the basis of specialized traffic management software and traffic information services, developed by SkeyDrone itself.

A central role in this project is reserved for skeyes, the national air navigation service provider and manager of Belgian airspace. For years skeyes has been actively investing in the drone sector, stimulating applications that are both economically and socially relevant. In the context of the future implementation of the U-space airspace model, skeyes works as a facilitator for public actors such as the police force and emergency services.

Quote Johan Decuyper, skeyes CEO
"With the deployment of drones in Brussels police operations, skeyes shows how innovation and safety can go hand in hand. As the airspace manager, we play a key role in gradually opening up controlled airspace for BVLOS operations, and we monitor the safe operation of these flights. This is how we assume our social responsibility. Unmanned devices undoubtedly contribute to the effectiveness of the police, but also of other emergency services."

With this collaboration, skeyes confirms its pioneering role in the integration of drones into airspace and its commitment to supporting public services with innovative solutions. 

 

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About skeyes

skeyes ensures the safety and efficiency of air traffic in Belgium 24/7. The skeyes air traffic controllers manage over 3,000 aircraft every day, which makes up over a million flight movements per year. The autonomous public company is active at the heart of Europe, in one of the busiest and most complex sections of airspace of the continent. skeyes is active at Brussels Airport and at the airports of Antwerp, Charleroi, Kortrijk, Liège and Ostend. Thanks to its CANAC 2 control centre skeyes manages the flight movements above Belgium and a part of Luxembourg up to an altitude of 7,500 metres (*). The company relies on its nearly 900 experienced staff members who are at the service of their customers: airline companies, airports, the aviation sector and the authorities. skeyes also develops innovating services regarding drones and contributes to a sustainable future of the aviation sector, among other things with respect to the environment.

skeyes is a member of FABEC, a joint airspace block (Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland) with the aim of improving air navigation efficiency in the heart of Europe in the framework of the Single European Sky.

www.skeyes.be

(*) The upper airspace of the Benelux countries and North West Germany is managed jointly with the EUROCONTROL centre in Maastricht. 

Contact

Tervuursesteenweg 303 1820 Steenokkerzeel Belgium

+32 2 206 21 11

press@skeyes.be

www.skeyes.be