First EGNOS LPV procedures in Switzerland

As of November 17^th 2011, two new EGNOS based approach procedures can be used at two Swiss airports, Les Eplatures and St. Gallen–Altenrhein.

The main advantage of this kind of EGNOS based procedures is to enable SBAS approaches equivalent to ILS approaches (down to 250 ft minima) with a limited ground infrastructure (runway lighting). Thanks to EGNOS these airports will now benefit from an inexpensive backup to their runway ends already equipped with an ILS and hence increase airport availability in case of bad weather conditions.

In other airports, EGNOS provides also the benefit to extend the ability to perform instrumental approaches of almost Cat I minima to runways-ends where an ILS is not in place.

The publication of these two new procedures has been possible after the signature of an EGNOS Working Agreement (EWA) between the Swiss Air Navigation Service Provider skyguide and the company ESSP, the EGNOS Service provider, which officially declared the start of the EGNOS Safety-of-Life Service intended for Aviation last March 2^nd , 2011.

Switzerland is the second European country to publish EGNOS based approach procedures, following the path initiated by France with the procedures at Pau, Clermont-Ferrand and Le Bourget airports.

Gradually, other European Air Navigation Service Providers will start signing agreements with the ESSP in order to publish new EGNOS based approach procedures within their territories.