Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced expanded electronic charting capabilities for Europe including the availability of European VFR terminal charts and European SafeTaxi® airport diagrams for select Garmin aviation products.

“European pilots have asked Garmin to find ways to provide information electronically that helps enhance situational awareness. With these new electronic charts, pilots not only benefit from a less-cluttered cockpit, but they allow for more immediate access to the information pilots need to make good decisions,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

Garmin has partnered with Jeppesen® to integrate their European VFR terminal charts into the aera 795/796 aviation portables. By loading the VFR terminal charts on to the Garmin portable, pilots meet the requirement for carrying charts, but without the burden of having additional paper in the cockpit. The database covers over 2,200 airports in 29 European countries and contains colored Visual Approach, Landing and Area Charts, as well as general- and country-related text sections such as Regulations, Communications, Meteorology, Aerodrome Directory and more for the planning and execution of flights within Europe under Visual Flight Rules.

Garmin also introduced a new European SafeTaxi database, offering geo-referenced airport diagrams for nearly 500 European airports in 15 different countries. SafeTaxi automatically identifies runways, taxiways, FBOs, and hangars, as well as the aircraft’s location on the field. Because SafeTaxi is geo-referenced, pilots will experience enhanced situational awareness by seeing their aircraft move along the taxiway diagram on the navigation screen. European SafeTaxi is available today as an update option for select Garmin portables, the GTN 650/750 series and the G3X glass flight display. Within weeks, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to approve European Safe Taxi for Garmin’s G500, G600, G500H, G1000, G1000H, G900X, G950, and GMX 200 platforms.

Both of these expanded charting capabilities are complemented by Garmin’s electronic AC-U-KWIK airport directory, a global airport directory available for select Garmin aviation portables and glass flight decks.

The European VFR terminal charts for the aera 795/796 are available via the purchase of a Garmin ChartView key available from flyGarmin and a subscription from Jeppesen. The ChartView key will be available at no additional charge for those purchasing an aera 795/796 at AERO Friedrichshafen from April 18 to April 21, 2012. For those unable to attend the show, the ChartView key will be available at a special price of $199 beginning today through August 31, 2012. Additionally, for new subscribers, Jeppesen is offering 15 months of service for the price of 12 through August 31, 2012. To take advantage of this special offer and learn more about coverage areas and prices, visit the Jeppesen booth at AERO Friedrichshafen starting April 18 or call Jeppesen directly at +49 6102 5070 for Europe and Asia or +44 1293 842404 for the United Kingdom, Middle East, or Africa.

European SafeTaxi is available from Garmin for $74.95 for a single update or $299 for an annual subscription. For more information or to purchase European SafeTaxi, visit flyGarmin.com.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, surveillance, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value.