Thousands of flights in the UK have been disrupted due to “extremely dangerous” jamming, believed to be orchestrated by Russia. These electronic attacks have disrupted satellite navigation (satnav) systems, making aircraft routes challenging to navigate.
Pilots have reportedly encountered difficulties communicating their positions to colleagues in the air, leading to situations where planes have had to maneuver unexpectedly to avoid perceived obstacles that do not exist. Up until the end of March, a significant number of flights in the Baltic region experienced satnav problems, with Ryanair and Wizz Air flights accounting for 2,309 and 1,368 affected flights respectively. British Airways, Jet2, and EasyJet flights were also among those affected.
In total, approximately 46,000 aircraft have logged problems with GPS over the Baltic Sea during the same period. These disruptions, ranging from signal jamming to spoofing, have extended beyond the Baltic to regions like the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. The frequency of suspected attacks has also risen significantly, with March alone recording a staggering 350 incidents.
Signal strength analysis indicates that the source of these disruptions is Russia, particularly from its Topol electronic warfare complexes stationed in the Kaliningrad exclave. The jamming interferes with satellite signals, including GPS, misleading pilots about their actual locations.
Luc Tytgat, head of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has expressed concern about the escalating number of attacks on these systems, emphasizing the safety risks involved. A Ryanair spokesperson acknowledged an increase in intermittent GPS interference affecting all airlines and outlined the use of multiple systems and alternative protocols in such situations. An easyJet spokesperson similarly highlighted the availability of various navigation systems and mitigating procedures.
Russia’s proficiency in electronic warfare (EW) has been well-documented, with recent conflicts showcasing its strategic deployment. While selective jamming has been observed previously, the current trend towards widespread and indiscriminate disruption represents a concerning escalation. Some speculate about the geopolitical implications, particularly with Finland and Sweden aligning with NATO.
In the event of a GPS malfunction, airlines like Ryanair employ alternative systems. Glenn Bradley from the UK Civil Aviation Authority emphasizes that despite the challenges posed by GPS jamming, flying remains one of the safest modes of travel.
A NATO official has publicly stated that an increase in GPS jamming has been observed since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with allies warning of Russia’s involvement. Last month, reports emerged that Russia jammed the satellite signal on an aircraft transporting British Defence Minister Grant Shapps from Poland to Britain. The Downing Street spokesperson downplayed the incident, stating that it did not threaten the aircraft’s safety and that GPS jamming near Kaliningrad is not uncommon. A UK defence source, however, expressed concern about the potential risks to civilian aircraft and human lives.
