The COO of skeyes becomes the Director of Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC)
On 30 September 2024, skeyes will say goodbye to its Chief Operations Officer, Ms Peggy Devestel, who will assume the role of Director at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre MUAC) as from 1 October. This organisation is responsible for managing air traffic in the upper airspace.
Today, Peggy Devestel holds the position of COO at skeyes and is responsible for air traffic control at Belgium's six major airports (Brussels, Liège, Charleroi, Antwerp, Ostend, and Kortrijk), as well as the "en route" segment of the CANAC2 air traffic control centre. This segment manages all traffic above Belgium and part of Luxembourg’s airspace up to an altitude of approximately 7,500 metres (FL245). In addition to air traffic management, she was also in charge of technical services related to communication, navigation and radar surveillance systems, as well as support services such as the training centre, the skeyes meteorological service, and operational and technical projects. In total, she oversaw more than 600 employees.
Peggy Devestel began her career as an air traffic controller and, over the past 30 years, has risen through the ranks as an ATS expert, Regional Airports Manager, Head of Customer Affairs, General Director of Operations, and, since 2018, COO. Recently, her mandate was extended until 2028.
On 1 October, Peggy Devestel will take up the role of Director of the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) at EUROCONTROL. In this role, she will be responsible for one of the most efficient air traffic control services in Europe. MUAC, located in Maastricht, is the control body responsible for managing traffic at altitudes that surpass national sectors, from FL 245 to FL 660.
MUAC manages air traffic in the following regions:
- Belgium: the Brussels Upper Information Region (UIR)
- Luxembourg: part of the Brussels Upper Information Region (UIR)
- The Netherlands: the Amsterdam Upper Information Region (UIR)
- Northwest Germany: the Hanover Upper Information Region (UIR)
Ms Devestel was unanimously selected by the four countries—Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. She will assume this role for the next five years.
The operational role of MUAC is crucial for the safe and efficient handling of air traffic in one of Europe’s busiest airspaces. The integration of civil and military airspace management, along with multinational cooperation, highlights the growing synergy within European air traffic services.
Mr Philippe Witpas will assume the interim role of Ms Peggy Devestel starting on 1 October.