The declaration of the EGNOS Safety of Life service in March 2011 marked the moment when satellite navigation became certified for safety-critical aviation operations in Europe, allowing pilots to rely on EGNOS for precision approaches and improved situational awareness during landing.  Fifteen years later, the service continues to play a critical role in improving safety, accessibility and efficiency in European airspace, demonstrating the long-term value of satellite-based navigation for safety-critical transport applications.

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) enhances positioning signals from global navigation satellite systems, primarily GPS, by improving their accuracy, reliability, and integrity. Through a network of ground stations and geostationary satellites, the system broadcasts corrections and integrity information that enable users to rely on satellite navigation even in safety-critical situations.

EGNOS is a key component of the European Union’s satellite navigation infrastructure and an integral part of the European Union Space Programme. The system is owned by the European Union, with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) responsible for the overall programme management and development of the service. 

To read the complete news, please visit the EGNOS User Support Website.