Growing GPS interference threatens aviation safety in India

March 21, 2025 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani

Air navigation safety is a critical aspect of modern aviation. Recently, multiple airlines have reported GPS interference and spoofing incidents while flying near Amritsar and Jammu.

These disruptions, occurring between November 2023 and February 2025, have raised concerns about aircraft navigation reliability.

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation informed the Lok Sabha that 465 incidents of GPS interference were recorded during this period.

These incidents involve blocking or altering GPS signals, which could mislead aircraft navigation systems. Such disruptions pose serious operational challenges, especially in border areas.

In November 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a directive. It instructed airlines to report all cases of interference. This was done to address potential risks and ensure better safety in the aviation sector.

The government also implemented Notices to Airmen in areas where frequent GPS disruptions occur.

Additionally, airlines have been following Standard Operating Procedures to manage these challenges effectively.

To counter GPS spoofing threats, India has adopted safety guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Union Safety Agency.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also continuously upgrading air traffic management systems to improve aviation security.

Authorities are taking proactive measures to ensure pilots can switch to alternative navigation methods in case of GPS interference.

The DGCA’s November 2023 circular outlines detailed action plans for pilots, aircraft operators, and air traffic controllers to handle such disruptions efficiently.

Meanwhile, the Union Civil Aviation Minister highlighted India’s growing aviation sector. He stated that the country will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15 to 20 years to meet the demand from expanding airlines.

Currently, India has over 6,000 pilots, but with airlines placing orders for 1,700+ new aircraft, the demand for skilled pilots is surging.

To address this, the government is focusing on pilot training initiatives, aiming to make India a global hub for aviation training.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on April 07, 2017