Just as in 2017, Skeyes registered four incidents in Belgian air space last year, it emerged on Thursday in a 2018 safety report published by the autonomous public company responsible for air traffic control. There was only one in category A and 3 in category B. In addition, the former Belgocontrol registered a hike in the number of drone incidents. 2018 was the second best in Skeyes' history, as it was in 2017, with a single category A ("serious") incident and 3 in category B ("major"). On the other hand, there were no events in either category reported in 2016. Taking into account the increase in the amount of air traffic last year, the result is even a little better than the year before.
Over several years, the company has developed a reporting culture ('just culture') without sanctioning for unintentional human error. Every incident is noted with a view to avoiding possible similar occurrences in the future. The company has, however, observed a slight decrease in the number of reported incidents (1,489 as against 1,809 a year earlier). It has therefore invited the Minister for Mobility back to have a royal decree issued that will anchor this principle and create a legislative framework to this effect.
The former Belgocontrol has furthermore been struck by an increase in the number of drone incidents, which has gone from 15 to 31.
The Brussels Times
