Unifly and SkeyDrone Deploy Major UTM Platform Upgrade at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Enhancing Safety and User Experience
Antwerp, Belgium — January 22, 2026 — Unifly and SkeyDrone have released a major upgrade of the UTM platform deployed at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges (PoAB). This new release strengthens operational safety and enhances user experience, further enabling one of the world’s most advanced port-based drone ecosystems.
Building on the strong innovation partnership between Unifly, SkeyDrone, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the upgraded platform enhances capabilities for drone operators, supervisors, and port authorities. It continues the Port’s evolution from pioneering BVLOS trials under the SAFIR project to enabling thousands of drone operations, autonomous sample transport, and scalable industrial drone applications across one of the most drone-progressive ports globally.
PoAB DronePortal
Operational in the Antwerp port area since mid-March 2021, the PoAB DronePortal has enabled safe and compliant drone operations at scale.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ drone ecosystem at a glance:
- 250 registered operators
- 13.483 operations created
- 7.665 operations performed
- 27.621 permission requests approved
- 2.371 BVLOS operations performed
Overview of the New Capabilities
The update introduces a broad set of new capabilities that enhance safety, useability, and efficiency across the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ drone ecosystem. Improved airspace information, supported by updated obstacle data, increases situational awareness to support safer drone operations in one of Europe’s busiest and most complex port environments.
A series of user interface and data-management upgrades make the platform more intuitive and reliable, including clearer geozone visualisation, refreshed map layers, more helpful on-screen guidance, simplified explanations of flight rules, updated translations, and cleaner portal visuals. Users also benefit from a rebranded and expanded online help environment offering clearer, always-available guidance, as well as the introduction of Dark Mode for improved usability in a wide range of operational and lighting conditions.
A Platform Ready for the Next Stage of Port-Based Drone Innovation
This release marks another milestone in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ digital transformation of its airspace. By enhancing safety, improving situational awareness, and streamlining the operator experience, the UTM platform continues to support innovative drone applications, from industrial inspections to automated logistics, reinforcing PoAB’s position as one of the world’s most advanced ports for operational drone deployment.
To underline Unifly’s long-term commitment to enabling scalable and secure drone operations, CEO Andres Van Swalm highlighted the significance of the upgrade:
“With every release, we help the Port of Antwerp-Bruges unlock new operational efficiencies and safety standards. This upgrade prepares the Port for an increasingly automated future where drones integrate seamlessly into daily operations.”
SkeyDrone emphasised the value of these improvements for daily users and operational partners across the port:
“With this new UTM upgrade, we are raising the bar once again. Users will benefit from a more reliable, intuitive, and efficient system that supports safe and consistent drone operations throughout the port.”
Reflecting on the Port’s ambitions, PoAB emphasises the strategic importance of a future-ready UTM platform in supporting the growth of drone operations:
"This upgrade reinforces our leadership in port-based drone innovation. By developing a more user-friendly application, the enhanced platform enables drone operators to plan and monitor missions more intuitively, improving safety and security across the port. It encourages new operators to adopt the system, ensuring compliance with regulations and increasing awareness of potential risks in a complex port environment."
About Port of Antwerp-Bruges
As Europe’s second-largest seaport, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is a global hub for trade, industry, and innovation. Through pioneering drone programs and close collaboration with partners such as Unifly and SkeyDrone, the Port is setting new standards for safe and scalable unmanned aviation.
About Unifly
Unifly is a technology company rooted in aviation, dedicated to enabling autonomous aviation by advancing the safety and efficiency of UAS Traffic Management. The Unifly platform connects authorities, drone operators, and stakeholders to digitise and automate airspace management, supporting the safe integration of next-generation aircraft.
With the addition of Unifly Consulting, the group combines cutting-edge digital infrastructure with deep regulatory and safety expertise. Offering SORA analyses, regulatory guidance, and operational strategy, Unifly provides a comprehensive ecosystem powering the future of autonomous aviation worldwide.
About SkeyDrone
SkeyDrone is a joint venture between the Belgian Air Navigation Service Provider skeyes and Brussels Airport Company. It offers solutions for airspace monitoring, management and protection for authorities and geo-zone managers, operation of drones for operators and the use of drones to optimise business processes for companies.
For more information, please contact us at press@unifly.aero.
Recent Posts
