Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, widespread GPS interference has impacted aviation across European skies, affecting over 46,000 flights traveling over the Baltic region since last August. This disruption extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south, creating significant navigational challenges for thousands of flights.
According to a report by The Guardian, there is no current evidence suggesting that Russia is deliberately targeting foreign civilian aircraft with GPS jamming. However, the widespread signal disruptions still pose a substantial safety risk to aviation operations. The phenomenon, described as a “Faraday curtain” over European airspace, has raised concerns among aviation officials about the potential hazards, especially given the historical context of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine nearly a decade ago.
The issue of GPS interference in these areas highlights the broader implications of military conflicts on civilian infrastructure, including international air travel. Aviation experts are calling for heightened awareness and precautionary measures to ensure the safety and reliability of flight operations under these challenging conditions.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, qz.com
