The European Commission (EC) has responded to calls from the airline industry and other bodies and accelerated efforts to define a future European global navigation satellite system (GNSS-2).
While existing plans for an interim satellite-based system, the European geostationary navigation satellite system (Egnos), remain in place, the EC is now pushing hard for Europe to take the lead in defining the GNSS-2. "Whoever is first will dictate the standards," it says, adding that Europe is in danger of losing a "unique opportunity" to obtain a global satellite navigation system that fully meets its aviation navigation requirements.
The EC's transport directorate adds: "Europe cannot afford to wait for others to make up their minds. We must decide soon if we are to go it alone or do it as a fully international co-operative programme".
The first meeting of the GNSS Forum was set for 24 July, in Brussels, and was to include several outside bodies such as the Association of European Airlines (AEA), which has repeatedly called for the Egnos to be dropped in favour of GNSS-2. It says it now accepts that the Egnos will go ahead, after the European Council of Ministers approval of the system in June. "We don't think we can reasonably stop it," says the AEA.
One of its main objections to the Egnos, that the aviation community would have to pay for a system designed to benefit all transport users, is apparently being met with an unexpected EC decision to look for ways of introducing a "fairer, more transparent charging system" that would ensure users of Europe-wide transport infrastructure pay for the services they use. It has issued a policy paper Fair payment for infrastructure use: A phased approach to transport infrastructure charging in the European Union detailing how a new charging system would link the fees levied for the use of transport infrastructure such as the Egnos, to the costs this use imposes.
The AEA remains sceptical, however. "It is still our view that we will be made to pay for a system that will be far from perfect," it says.
The GNSS Forum will be divided into four working groups: institutional and legal questions, technical development and financial issues, defence and security considerations and users and service requirements. First results are expected by the end of the year.
Source: Flight International
