Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial and operational implications of continuing to rely on ground-based precision approach infrastructure (such as instrument landing systems) in poor weather conditions following the loss of European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) enabled approaches; and what steps they are taking to mitigate the impact on aviation safety, regional connectivity, and emergency air services caused by the absence of EGNOS for precision landing guidance.

Larger UK airports and many regional airports have Instrument Landing Systems in place and therefore a satellite-based augmentation system) such as European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), is primarily beneficial at smaller regional airports and General Aviation aerodromes during periods of poor weather resulting in restricted visibility. Flights that are taking place continue to do so safely, following alternative Civil Aviation Authority approved procedures.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) will, in the UK, be supported through a GNSS Point in Space ‘PinS’ approach to helicopter landing sites at trauma hospitals which will greatly assist in increasing the utility of air ambulance helicopters in poor visibility conditions.

Government is 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.