Geneva, 27 August 2025 – Since the beginning of the year, Skyguide has safely guided more than 868,000 flights through the airspace entrusted to its care. At the same time, The Swiss air navigation service provider has strengthened its financial foundation and appointed a new Chief Technology Officer. Skyguide will conclude the Virtual Centre Programme as such at the end of 2027.
Since the beginning of 2025, Skyguide has safely guided over 868,000 flights, returning to pre-crisis levels. Traffic volumes remained high in the summer months of July and August, exceeding 2019 levels. Zurich Airport recorded a 4 per cent increase compared to 2024, while Geneva remained largely stable. Investments in systems and forward-looking personnel planning increased reliability. As a result, Skyguide achieved a punctuality rate of around 96 per cent during the busy summer season, slightly better than in the previous year. Most delays were weather-related, while staff shortages in air traffic control and capacity bottlenecks on runways each contributed around 15 per cent to the delays.
Positive business development strengthens the foundation
Skyguide achieved a solid result of plus 8 million Swiss francs in the first half of 2025. It also expects a positive net result of more than 40 million Swiss francs by the end of the year. The tariff increase at the beginning of 2025 has significantly strengthened its financial base, even though it has led to a shift in traffic to neighbouring countries. Thanks to this solid financial situation, Skyguide is currently confident that it will be able to repay the federal government loan in full by 2029. In addition, Swiss air navigation services have revised their National Performance Plan. Once the EU Commission has approved it, Skyguide’s financial stability will be secured in the medium term.
Skyguide to conclude Virtual Centre programme at the end of 2027
The Board of Directors of Skyguide has decided to conclude the Virtual Centre programme structure at the end of 2027. Since 2017, the programme has generated operational and financial benefits of around 17 million Swiss francs per year. By the time it is completed, it will have paid for itself entirely. Remaining elements will be transferred to the regular IT project portfolio. Skyguide is thus realigning itself in order to continue working on its technological and operational development in a targeted and efficient manner. The Swiss air navigation service provider continues to pursue the strategic goal of managing growing and increasingly volatile air traffic safely, flexibly and efficiently with modern, location-independent systems.
New Chief Technology Officer ensures technological progress and continuity
Skyguide has appointed Götz Ardey as Chief Technology Officer from September 2025. This move strengthens the Swiss air navigation service provider’s technological leadership and innovative capabilities. Ardey brings with him many years of experience in the aviation industry and in-depth knowledge of Skyguide’s technology landscape, and has already successfully implemented important transformation projects as a member of the executive team. “Götz Ardey’s comprehensive industry expertise, his leadership experience, his knowledge of Skyguide and the technological challenges we face make him the ideal candidate to head our technical department,” says Skyguide CEO Alex Bristol. With this appointment, Skyguide is ensuring that it remains organisationally and technologically sound in an increasingly volatile environment.
