EGNOS Service Provider ESSP and the Bulgarian Air Navigation Service Provider BULATSA have recently signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA). This is a key step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures (LPV procedures) to be used at the different Bulgarian airports.

The agreement was sealed on 27^thOctober 2014 by Thierry Racaud, ESSP CEO, and Georgi Peev, BULATSA Director General.

The signature of an EGNOS Working Agreement establishes the operational and legal framework to use the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service as navigation aid between the EGNOS Service Provider - ESSP and the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority - BULATSA. The EWA is the prior step to the publication of APV-1 SBAS approaches (LPV procedures) that offer similar performance to ILS CAT 1.

Thierry Racaud, ESSP CEO said “From now on airports in Bulgaria can benefit from the publication of EGNOS-based procedures. This will improve airplanes approach performance and accessibility, especially in case of bad weather conditions”.

Georgi Peev, BULATSA Director General also added: “The implementation of PBN approach procedures is part of the BULATSA’s plan to comply with the ICAO Assembly Resolution 37-11. LNAV LNAV/VNAV approach procedures, as well as STAR and SID shall be introduced simultaneously with the LPV. The new flight procedures will be introduced first in Burgas airport in 2015. The new navigation capabilities shall bring significant improvements to the flight safety, optimization of the airspace management and accessibility to the airports, reduction of the flight time and CO2 emissions, as well as an opportunity for optimization of the navigation infrastructure. By signing EWA we fulfilled one of the requirements regarding the implementation of PBN in the TMAs in Bulgaria. This progress was made thanks to the participation of BULATSA in EDCN, SHERPA and NASCIO projects with the support of our partners from the Еuropean Сommission, the European GNSS Agency (GSA), EUROCONTROL, ESSP, Pildo Labs and the Bulgarian DG CAA.”