Credits: Spanish Air and Space Force

The agreement will enable the publication of EGNOS-based approach procedures in airports in Spain

ESSP, as EGNOS Service Provider, and Spanish Air and Space Force have recently signed an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA) as a key step for the implementation of EGNOS-based approach procedures.

The Spanish Air and Space Force (SPAF) main mission is the surveillance and control of the Airspace in order to guarantee its safe and free use. The SPAF contributes as well to national and international missions of the Joint forces and contributes to State and public authorities’ effort to preserve the safety and welfare of the citizens.

The SPAF trains and equips an organization that provides modern capabilities and motivated airmen to the Operative Structure of the Spanish Armed Forces.

The EGNOS working agreement (EWA) was signed on March 2023, 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 willing to use this service.

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).

This agreement is framed into the EU Space Program actions to get the highest security rates and accuracy systems in aviation through Satellite Based Navigation Protocol.

The signing of the EWA agreement concludes a step in the international cooperation to employ EGNOS' precision signals and services in Spain for a cost-effective navigation solution to the benefit of customers using air navigation in this country.