GPS jamming reports surge, government flags risks to flight navigation

The growing number of incidents involving GPS spoofing and jamming has raised concerns across the aviation sector, prompting a coordinated response from Indian regulators even as global airline body IATA warns of a wider international trend. The government has acknowledged the risks posed by such interference and outlined operational safeguards, alternate navigation systems and standard procedures for pilots to ensure flight safety.

According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, a total of 1,951 incidents of interference with aircraft Global Navigation Satellite System signals were reported between November 2023 and November 2025. Reporting of such incidents began after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued its first advisory in November 2023, mandating airlines and pilots to flag any suspected GPS anomalies during operations.

The concern has been echoed globally by the International Air Transport Association, which represents around 360 airlines accounting for more than 80 percent of global air traffic . IATA Director General Willie Walsh said incidents of GPS interference have increased significantly and are now being reported across regions. Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai have seen such incidents in recent months.

GPS or GNSS spoofing involves transmitting false signals that can mislead aircraft navigation systems, while jamming disrupts signal reception altogether. The International Civil Aviation Organisation classifies such interference as international radio frequency interference. While no accidents linked to these incidents have been reported in India so far, regulators acknowledge that loss or corruption of navigation data can pose serious operational risks if not identified and handled promptly.

Data shared by IATA shows that GPS signal loss events per 1,000 flights have nearly doubled over the past three years. IATA’s Senior Vice President Nick Careen said the increase is notable and cannot be explained solely by higher flight volumes, adding that most incidents are spillover effects of military electronic activity around conflict zones.

Indian authorities have clarified that GPS interference incidents have not been confined to any single military operation and have occurred both during periods of regional tension and outside them, including around major metropolitan airports.

To address the risk, the DGCA has issued detailed Standard Operating Procedures for pilots and air traffic controllers. When GPS anomalies are detected, pilots are required to immediately inform ATC, discontinue GPS-based approaches if necessary, and revert to alternate navigation methods.

The government has also highlighted the role of alternate and backup navigation systems. India operates NavIC , the indigenous regional navigation satellite system developed by ISRO, along with GAGAN, to improve resilience in civil aviation navigation.

Civil aviation authorities maintain that existing procedures have ensured safe operations despite rising reports and emphasise the need for continued vigilance and coordination.