Breakthrough in Satellite Navigation for Air Traffic

Air Berlin is the world’s first airline to receive LBA (German Federal Aviation Office) approval for employing GLS (GPS landing system) technology on its flights. This satellite technology is already being used successfully in vehicle navigation devices and mobile telephones, and Air Berlin has been running trials since 2008. In future the airline will also be able to use it for normal flight operations. This makes the second largest German airline an international trailblazer.

GLS makes precise approaches and pinpoint landings possible. Satellite navigation is more flexible than the conventional ILS (instrument landing system), which uses radar guidance. Consequently it makes approaches more efficient, comfortable and quiet. It also offers a considerable cost-saving potential.

"Our tests with satellite-based approaches were so successful that we are convinced that GLS is the technology of the future for global air traffic," commented Marc Altenscheidt, Chief Boeing Fleet at Air Berlin, when talking about the airline’s LBA approval. Approval has been obtained for category 1 approaches.

"GLS will be replacing the conventional ILS, since it is not susceptible to poor weather conditions or obstacles," remarked Frank Brenner, Director Operations at DFS’s Business Unit Center.

Since June 2007, all type 737-700 and -800 Boeings delivered to Air Berlin have been equipped with the new "sat nav".