More Airports Across Europe Add EGNOS Approaches

Flight operators can now use EGNOS approach procedures at airports in the Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, and Tunisia, all part of a growing list of airports across Europe that have implemented localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) procedures. The European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP), a Toulouse-based company which has the contract for EGNOS system operation and service provision, made this and several other announcements recently.

In all, 17 EGNOS Working Agreements (EWA) with airports have been signed and 171 EGNOS-based approach procedures authorized for specific runways.

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is launching the implementation of the first LPV procedures in seven countries in 2014, as an exercise to gain the necessary competencies at national level, leading to a further plan for EGNOS adoption in the Perfromance-Based Navigation (PBN) plans.

EGNOS provides a cost-effective alternative to ILS CAT I, offering similar performance, and increasing safety by allowing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) approaches at difficult locations or under meteorological conditions where previously such approaches were not possible due to safety concerns. The use of EGNOS is free of charge.