New SkyBridge Alliance selects Thales to accelerate Europe’s Air Traffic Management modernisation

• Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) from the Czech Republic (ANS CR), Estonia (EANS) and Finland (FTANS) launch new SkyBridge Alliance to strengthen cooperation, harmonise operations, and drive a new era of efficiency and innovation in European air traffic management.
• The SkyBridge Alliance has selected an upgrade to Thales’s TopSky – ATC solution, and joins nine other European ANSPs in the TopSky - ATC Partners group, which seeks to develop together an ATC system for safe and seamless operations, which accelerates modernization and ensures interoperability across borders.
• Through this collaboration, SkyBridge will achieve substantial cost efficiencies and operational synergies, while aligning with the EU ATM Master Plan.

In a landmark move for European aviation, ANS CR (Czech Republic), EANS (Estonia) and FTANS (Finland) have come together to launch the SkyBridge Alliance. This alliance reflects a shared ambition to harmonise systems and operations in line with the Single European Sky and the EU ATM Master Plan, advancing Europe’s vision of a safer, greener, and more connected sky.

“The creation of the SkyBridge Alliance marks an important milestone in cross-border ATM cooperation. By uniting technological and operational strategies, we are building a stronger foundation for a more sustainable, interoperable and efficient European airspace. This strategic investment not only supports our day-to-day operational reliability but will also ensure the long-term sustainability of air traffic management services.” said Jan Klas, CEO Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR), Ivar Värk, CEO Estonian Air Navigation Services AS (EANS), and Raine Luojus, CEO Fintraffic Air Navigation Services Ltd (FTANS) for the SkyBridge Alliance.

To power Europe’s ATM modernisation, the SkyBridge Alliance has selected an upgrade of Thales’s cybersecured, AI-powered TopSky - ATC, the world’s most advanced air traffic control solution. This choice marks a significant milestone, bringing the three ANSPs into the TopSky – ATC Partners group, which unites 12 European Air Navigation Service Providers. As members of this collaborative community, the SkyBridge partners will take part in the upgraded version of TopSky – ATC product roadmap governance, ensuring alignment of system evolution with operational priorities and European regulatory developments. This approach will enable faster deployment, lower total lifecycle costs, and seamless cross-border interoperability.

The deployment of Thales’s TopSky – ATC will provide cutting-edge controller tools and a latest-generation, open, safe, and secure software architecture, allowing the alliance to introduce advanced functionalities, while ensuring continuity of operations and data integrity. This system is fully compliant with CP1 regulation¹ and EASA’s DPO (Design or Production Organisation) framework, providing future-proof readiness for the evolving ATM environment.

The three ANSPs have also committed to a long-term evolutive and corrective maintenance agreement with Thales, ensuring continuous innovation, scalability, and resilience in readiness for the inevitable evolution of ATM. Additionally, FTANS and EANS will continue benefiting from the MonoFIR/Bi-FIR (Flight Information Region) functionality delivered to Finland and Estonia, a proven step toward seamless cross-border air traffic control.

“We are honored to support the SkyBridge Alliance in this bold initiative. With TopSky – ATC, we bring a proven, future-ready solution that empowers ANSPs to deliver safer and more efficient air traffic services, perfectly aligned with the goals of the Single European Sky.” Youzec Kurp, Vice President Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales.

_{1 The Common Project 1 is a regulation developed under the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme, focused on modernizing the ATM infrastructure and services across Europe, aiming for improved efficiency of air traffic flow, better environmental performance (lower emissions, more direct flight routes) and increased safety through new technologies and procedures.}

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About the SkyBridge Alliance

The SkyBridge Alliance is a newly formed partnership made up of Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR), Estonian Air Navigation Services AS (EANS) and Fintraffic Air Navigation Services Ltd (FTANS). The alliance reflects a shared ambition to harmonise systems and operations in line with the Single European Sky and the EU ATM Master Plan, advancing Europe’s vision of a safer, greener, and more connected sky.

Press contacts

Thales, Media relations: pressroom@thalesgroup.com

ANS CR: Richard Klima, Head of Communication Department, klima@ans.cz, + 420 724 172 186

EANS: Annika Koppel, Communications Manager, annika.koppel@eans.ee, + 372 5335 9153

FTANS: Leena Huhtamaa, leena.huhtamaa@fintraffic.fr, + 358 40 756 3819