What does the Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA) provide assurance of?

The Minimum Enroute Altitude (MEA) is primarily designed to ensure obstacle clearance along a given route. It provides pilots with a specified altitude that guarantees a safe vertical distance above the highest terrain or obstacle within a defined distance from the centerline of the airway. This is essential for maintaining safety as it helps prevent collisions with obstacles such as mountains or buildings. Additionally, the MEA often ensures that aircraft remain clear of certain airspace and provides a level of navigation signal coverage; however, its primary purpose remains focused on obstacle clearance throughout the route. This guarantees that as pilots navigate enroute, they can do so confidently, knowing they are operating above any potential hazards in their flight path.