the ACAO-ICAO Workshop on Radio Navigation and GNSS, was held in Rabat, Morocco during the period of 24 – 26 February 2025. 71 participants attended This workshop from 30 States from 3 continents (Africa, Asia and Europe), 9 Organizations and and 6 companies representing the aviation industry. The WS serves as an important platform for experts, regulators, and industry stakeholders to engage in discussions that will shape the future of Radio navigation. Considering that in an era where precision, safety, and efficiency are paramount, it is crucial to stay informed on the latest developments in GNSS and radio navigation systems.

The WS first examined the relevant ICAO provisions on radio navigation. As aviation continues to evolve, ICAO plays a critical role in establishing international standards and recommended practices to ensure safe and harmonized global navigation. These provisions guide member states in the implementation of modern navigation technologies, helping to enhance operational capabilities and airspace efficiency.

Following this, the WS have received an update on the GNSS core constellation. As GNSS remains the backbone of modern air navigation, updates from GNSS providers are essential for understanding the evolving landscape of satellite-based navigation. Their advancements contribute to improved accuracy, integrity, and availability, supporting safer and more efficient flight operations worldwide.

Then the participants were apprised of the GNSS augmentation. Augmentation systems such as ABAS (Airborne -Based Augmentation Systems SBAS (Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems) and GBAS (Ground-Based Augmentation Systems) play a vital role in enhancing GNSS performance. By improving accuracy and reliability, these systems enable advanced navigation capabilities, including precision approaches and landings, ultimately benefiting both operators and air traffic management.

Another crucial area was addressed which is the GNSS vulnerabilities and the perspectives on GNSS RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) mitigation. Signal disruption, known as jamming and spoofing threats are increasing over the globe, more frequently in the Mediterranean region & East of Africa. It poses a real safety risk for aviation, been endorsed by ICAO during its 14th Air Navigation Conference held last Sep. Collaboration among organization, regulators, technology providers, and operators is essential to strengthening GNSS resilience and ensuring resilient and secure navigation systems for global aviation.
The 5th session was dedicated to the subject on flight inspections and flight validation as well. The verification and calibration of navigation aids and GNSS-based procedures are fundamental to maintaining operational integrity.
Throughout this workshop, we intended to encourage knowledge-sharing and building regional expertise on the GNSS systems.

For further details, check out the event page: RADIO NAVIGATION/GNSS WORKSHOP