European aviation has confronted an alarming surge in GPS interference incidents, with Russia being implicated as the prime suspect. According to recent reports, around 46,000 flights have experienced GPS signal disruptions over the Baltic Sea since August, with the bulk of these issues cropping up in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia.
The phenomenon of GPS jamming is not limited to a single airline, nor is it confined to the Baltic airspace. It encompasses major airlines such as Ryanair, with over 2,300 reported incidents, Wizz Air reporting nearly 1,400, British Airways with 82, and easyJet with four cases since last August. This widespread disruption poses an extreme safety threat as it hampers pilots’ ability to navigate accurately and communicate their positions, consequently increasing the risk of mid-air collisions due to planes veering off to avoid non-existent obstacles.
The UK has had its own brush with these disruptions when an RAF plane, carrying Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, experienced GPS signal jamming whilst flying near the Russian Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. Downing Street acknowledged the incident but stated it did not compromise the safety of the aircraft. However, a defence source branded the action as “wildly irresponsible.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) convened in January to tackle the challenge of GPS jamming and spoofing, with EASA noting a significant escalation in such attacks. Luc Tytgat, head of EASA, expressed concern, saying, “We have seen a sharp rise in attacks on these systems, which poses a safety risk.”
The response from airlines has been one of reassurance, with Ryanair and easyJet spokespeople affirming that modern aircraft are equipped with multiple navigation systems, and pilots are trained to switch to alternative systems in case of GPS failure. Furthermore, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has attempted to downplay the direct risk to aircraft navigation, emphasizing that aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel. Glenn Bradley, the head of flight operations at the CAA, said:” GPS jamming does not directly impact the navigation of an aircraft, and while it is a known issue, this does not mean an aircraft has been jammed deliberately.”
This troubling trend in GPS interference comes amid heightened military activities and geopolitical tensions. Dr. Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) pointed out that Russia has been utilizing GPS jamming as a means of harassment across NATO borders for some time now. “Wherever there is a large Russian garrison you are seeing GPS denial and there is one in Kaliningrad.”
Relevant articles:
– Thousands of European flights reportedly affected by suspected Russian jamming, kyivindependent.com, 04/23/2024
– Thousands of flights to and from Europe affected by suspected Russian jamming, The Guardian, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 01:30:00 GMT
– Thousands of Brit holiday flights attacked by ‘extremely dangerous Russian jamming’ in major threat to air safety, The Sun, Sun, 21 Apr 2024 21:00:15 GMT
– Russia jamming civilian aircraft navigation in Europe, Ukrainian World Congress, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:45:30 GMT
– Is Russia jamming plane signals across Europe? – Firstpost, Firstpost, Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:30:41 GMT