EASA and IATA reveal four-point plan to tackle GNSS interference
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) plan to tackle global navigation satellite system – GNSS – interference, with the issue increasingly impacting airline operations.
Disruptions can compromise GPS-based navigation, increasing workload for flight crews and in some cases contributing to suspended routes.
Airlines have been forced to implement contingency procedures, including relying more heavily on traditional navigation aids, and provide additional pilot training.
The rise in spoofing and jamming incidents is linked to geopolitical tensions, and is prevalent across a swathe of the eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey and Cyprus and across the Middle East.
In 2024, Finnair was forced to suspend flights to Tartu, Estonia, blaming persistent GNSS signal interference in the area.
The issue has raised safety concerns and put pressure on aviation authorities and manufacturers to develop more resilient navigation systems.
The new plan from EASA and IATA was the result of a jointly-hosted workshop on the topic of GNSS interference.
Four ways to tackle GNSS interference
It focuses on four key areas: improved information gathering, stronger prevention and mitigation measures, more effective use of infrastructure and airspace management, and enhanced coordination and preparedness among relevant agencies.
For the first, the two bodies are calling for standard radio calls for reporting GNSS interference and standardised notice to airmen (NOTAM) coding, including through Q codes which are a commonly used set of aviation abbreviations.
To address stronger prevention and mitigation, they argue the industry must tighten controls (including export and licensing restrictions) on jamming devices.
It should also support the development of technical solutions to reduce false terrain warnings, improve situational interference with portable spoofing detectors and ensure rapid and reliable GPS equipment recovery after signal loss or interference.
They also highlight the need to define and implement monitoring and warning procedures, including real-time airspace monitoring, and ensure dissemination of information.
Regarding infrastructure and airspace management, EASA and IATA concluded that a backup for GNSS with a minimum operational network of traditional navigation aids was needed, and the indusry should better utilise military air traffic management (ATM) capabilities.
Procedures for airspace contingency and reversion planning should be enhanced, so aircraft can navigate safely even if interference occurs.
Finally, they call for improved civil-military coordination, including the sharing of GNSS radio frequency interference (RFI) event data.
‘Disruptions are evolving in terms of both frequency and complexity’
“GNSS disruptions are evolving in terms of both frequency and complexity. We are no longer just containing GNSS interference – we must build resilience. The evolving nature of the threat demands a dynamic and ambitious action plan,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA Flight Standards Director.
“Through collaboration with partners in the European Union and IATA and by supporting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), we are committed to keeping aviation safe, secure, and navigable.”
Nick Careen, IATA Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety, and Security, said: “The number of global positioning system (GPS) signal loss events increased by 220% between 2021 and 2024 according to IATA’s data from the Global Aviation Data Management Flight Data eXchange (GADM FDX).
“With continued geopolitical tensions, it is difficult to see this trend reversing in the near term. IATA and EASA are working together to reinforce the redundancies that are built into the system, to keep flying safe.
“The next step is for ICAO to move these solutions forward with global alignment on standards, guidance, and reporting. This must command a high priority at the ICAO Assembly later this year. To stay ahead of the threat, aviation must act together and without delay.”
