S7 Airlines, member of oneworld® global alliance, is the first Russian carrier to receive approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency for carrying out landing using GLS (GNSS Landing System), press-service of S7 reports.

GLS – is the satellite landing system, which is being introduced in many countries of the world. The approval was received for three Boeing 737-800NG jets. «S7 Airlines is implementing cutting-edge technologies in order to improve flight safety and frequency of flights. We are among the first carriers in the world to start using the new GLS system. Among other advantages, the GLS system will help increase the frequency of flights, which is one of the top-priority objectives for the airline,» Globus CEO, Vadim Klebanov, said.

Over 50 airfields in Russia are equipped with GBAS ground stations allowing pilots to use GLS system. Kemerovo and Tyumen (Roshino) airports have already been certified for GLS landing; a state corporation responsible for air traffic management plans to certify 10-15 airfields per year for using GLS system. This equipment makes positioning of the aircraft more precise and allows eliminating errors caused by an impact of any external factors on signal received by the airliner from satellites, the airline noted. 

“Cutting-edge technologies used during development of the system allow the crews to approach and land even in case of failure of traditional equipment. Aircraft fitted with GLS may land under ICAO Category 1 weather conditions. In the near-term GLS system will allow landing under ICAO Category IIIA weather conditions,” S7 explained.