With Skywise, Airbus is re-imagining the digital sky

To accelerate the digital transformation of aviation, on 1 April 2026 Airbus merged its flight operations specialist subsidiary Navblue with Skywise digital solutions to form a new company. Named Skywise after Airbus’ pioneering aircraft data platform, the new entity is the sole true provider of end-to-end digital solutions for aircraft operators. 

Every aircraft take-off takes coordination. Pilots, dispatchers, maintenance engineers and ground crew all work together to ensure a safe and punctual journey. Yet for years, the digital systems supporting these vital teams operated independently. Data remained fragmented, making it harder to collaborate across different departments.

To simplify this operational complexity, Airbus is upgrading its approach to aviation data. On 1 April 2026 the company merged its flight operations specialist subsidiary Navblue with its Services Digital Trading business to form a single, unified company: Skywise.

Navblue and Skywise: driving digital transformation in aviation

For decades, Navblue has supported airlines with digital solutions that help pilots, dispatchers and flight operations teams plan, execute and optimise flights safely and efficiently. Skywise has revolutionised aviation data management, connecting almost 12,000 connected aircraft since its launch in 2017.

Today, these two forces are coming together. The Skywise platform is moving from a standalone tool into the core of the new digital solutions company, leveraging Navblue’s expertise.

Integrating flight operations, technical operations, and ground operations

Building on a trusted brand that has set the digital standard for aviation, the merger creates a provider of solutions for all aircraft types across three historically fragmented domains: 

• Flight operations: leveraging Navblue's long-standing legacy.
• Technical operations: helping engineering teams turn complex data into predictive aircraft maintenance, helping airlines keep their fleets in the air.
• Ground operations: connecting the dots on the tarmac, helping airlines to manage resources to ensure on-time turnarounds.

Skywise is the first of its kind, aiming to create a unified and connected aviation digital ecosystem. Additionally, it benefits from access to important OEM and MRO partners through the Digital Alliance. 

This ecosystem ensures that the business drivers of compliance, resilience and predictability are met for every customer whatever aircraft type they operate.

“This new subsidiary, Skywise, is a strategic pivot,” says Cristina Aguilar, SVP Customer Services, Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. “According to our latest Global Services Forecast, the digital sector is the fastest-growing segment in the entire services market. Skywise is now the only provider able to offer truly end-to-end data to Airbus and non-Airbus fleets alike.”

Elevating aircraft software and predictive maintenance in aerospace

Through Skywise, Airbus is doing more than simply providing software. Airbus combines OEM expertise and digital know-how to transform operational complexity into predictive and profitable performance, ensuring resilient operations.

As Marc Lemeilleur, CEO of the new subsidiary, explains: “By bringing together Skywise’s data capabilities and Navblue’s proven expertise in flight operations, the new company directly supports the drive towards ever-more connected, safe aviation on our decarbonisation journey. As we move toward a future defined by digital integration, Skywise stands firmly on that trajectory.”

Skywise: what’s in a name? 

It started as a platform, now it’s a fully-fledged Airbus digital services company. For customers, the Skywise brand represents agility, trust, expertise and foresight. All enable faster, better operational decision-making from day one. The name is no coincidence. It encapsulates the core mission: the fusion of the ‘Sky’ (the domain of flight) with ‘Wise’ (intelligence and foresight).

Today, that vision is expanding. Skywise, the company, is the only provider able to offer resilient, end-to-end and interoperable digital solutions.