This February marks a significant milestone for SkeyDrone as we celebrate our 5-year anniversary. What began as a vision to revolutionize the skies has grown into a thriving company at the forefront of drone technology and airspace management. Over the past five years, we’ve worked tirelessly to enable safe, efficient, and innovative drone operations, shaping the future of aviation.
To honor this special occasion, we didn’t only celebrate with a customized cake but we also reflected on our journey. This has resulted in a timeline of the major milestones that have defined our growth and success.
10 February 2020
Founding of SkeyDrone
The journey began when skeyes launched SkeyDrone as a subsidiary to consolidate its drone-related activities. Our founding team of four employees, with deep aviation expertise gained from skeyes and Eurocontrol, laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving company.
22 December 2020
UTM Platform Launch
The launch of our Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) platform, the Drone Service Application, marked a first significant milestone. This platform empowered drone operators to request flight authorisation in controlled Belgian airspace, streamlining operations and enhancing safety. In a later stage, the platform was extended to the military geozones.
1 April 2021
First Drone Detection Test
We successfully tested the first version of our drone detection solution at Brussels Airport during the pandemic-induced closure. Leveraging both radar and RF-based detection technologies, this test marked the start of our commitment to protecting the airspace from unauthorised drones.
19 October 2021
Partnership with Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport Company acquired a 50% stake in SkeyDrone, aligning its vision with our ambitions. By bringing its extensive aviation expertise and resources to the table, Brussels Airport has played a crucial role in supporting our growth.
5 May 2023
BVLOS Operations Begin
Our BVLOS enablement framework facilitated the launch of D-Hive, a network of six drone-in-a-box systems at the Port of Antwerp. These systems conducted up to 18 daily flights, coordinating safe and sustainable operations in one of Europe’s busiest ports.
21 July 2023
Drone Detection at Tomorrowland
We deployed our drone detection solution at a major festival for the first time, safeguarding the skies above Tomorrowland. The police successfully intercepted 12 unauthorised drones, ensuring the safety of 65,000 attendees.
2 January 2024
Permanent Drone Detection Network
At the start of 2024, we began rolling out our permanent drone detection network across Belgium, covering major critical zones and infrastructure. In 2024, our network detected an average of 2,600 drone flights per month, providing valuable insights and enhancing airspace security.
20 March 2024
Recognition at ATM Awards
Our drone detection solution gained international recognition at Airspace World in Geneva, where we earned the runner-up award in the “Integration of Drones/AAM” category at the prestigious ATM Awards.
31 December 2024
Successful AI Pilot Project at Brussels Airport
In a groundbreaking AI project, SkeyDrone’s drone pilots captured over 2,000 high-resolution images at various locations around Brussels Airport. These images were used to train AI models, leading to enhanced airport safety and improved operational efficiency in areas such as crop inspections, fire intervention route evaluation, and obstacle detection.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate our achievements over the past five years, we remain committed to driving innovation in drone technology and airspace management. This journey would not have been possible without the dedication of our talented team, the trust of our partners, and the support of our stakeholders.
Here’s to the next chapter of SkeyDrone, where the skies are no longer the limit but just the beginning!
Want to learn more about SkeyDrone’s beginnings? Read the interview with our founding team here.
