ESSP (European Satellite Service Provider), and Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA llc (SMATSA), have recently signed two EGNOS Working Agreements (EWA), as a key first step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures (LPV SBAS procedures) in Serbia and in Montenegro. This establishes an outstanding milestone as it is the first time that an EGNOS Working Agreement is signed in The Balkans.

As you know, EGNOS is the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, it provides an augmentation signal to the Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS). The EGNOS service enables RNP APCH (Required Navigation Performance Approach) down to a minimum as low as 200 feet (~60 meters).

The agreement was signed on the 19th December 2018, and it establishes the operational and legal framework to use the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service as a navigation aid between the EGNOS Service Provider – ESSP - and the Airport / Navigation entity willing to use this service. This agreement is framed into the EU Space Programme actions to get the highest security rates and accuracy systems in aviation through Satellite Based Navigation Protocol.

SMATSA is now to perform the relevant EGNOS adoption-related activities, including site survey, preparation of RNP APCH procedures to LPV/LPV200 minima, safety assessment, ground and flight validation and publication on AIP.

^{SMATSA or the Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA llc, is an Air Navigation Service Provider company based in Belgrade, Serbia. The primary and predominant business activity of SMATSA llc is Air Navigation Service Provision, with additional services including air traffic control officer training, flight training, flight inspection of ground based radio navigation aids and aircraft maintenance services. The Area of Responsibility covers the airspace of Serbia, Montenegro and about 55% of the upper airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina}

^{ESSP SAS (European Satellite Services Provider) is a European private company under French law whose shareholders are 7 key Air Navigation Service Providers. ESSP acts as the service provider for EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. The company is based in Toulouse (France) and Madrid (Spain).}