Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the feasibility of underwriting or otherwise guaranteeing the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service Safety-of-Life Service to enable its use for domestic aviation purposes; what plans they have to implement such an arrangement to restore localiser performance with vertical guidance approach capability in the UK; and what is their estimate of the cost and timeframe for doing so.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

As a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) programme the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) terminated the EGNOS working agreements with aerodromes, resulting in the UK’s access to an assured EGNOS Safety of Life (SoL) service provision being terminated. Whilst the signal in space is still available and receivable, the signal should no longer be used as a SoL service. It should be noted that flights that are taking place continue to do so safely, following alternative Civil Aviation Authority approved procedures.

The Government is still considering options for UK access to a satellite-based augmentation system, following our withdrawal from the EU's EGNOS system. This work is continuing and no decision has yet been made.