Amid growing risks to air navigation, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have released a joint plan to combat increasing interference in satellite navigation systems (GNSS). The announcement followed a workshop held at EASA’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany, on May 22–23, which brought together over 120 specialists from the industry, governments, and international organizations.
Rising GPS Interference: A Real Threat to Aviation
According to IATA data, incidents of GPS signal loss surged by 220% between 2021 and 2024, driven by geopolitical tensions and a more complex operational environment. Interference, known as “jamming” (blocking) and “spoofing” (impersonation), has been particularly concentrated in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, though cases have also been reported in other regions worldwide.
Jesper Rasmussen, EASA’s Director of Flight Standards, warned: “GNSS disruptions can no longer just be contained—we must build resilience. The threat is evolving, and so must our response.” Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security, emphasized that the priority now is for ICAO to adopt these measures globally.
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Four Key Pillars to Mitigate Interference
The published plan is structured around four action areas designed to strengthen technical and operational responses to this emerging threat.
1. Enhancing Information Gathering and Surveillance
- Standardized radio calls for reporting GNSS interference.
- Unified NOTAM coding using specific Q codes.
- Real-time monitoring and alert procedures.
- Swift communication of incidents to relevant authorities.
2. Strengthening Technical Prevention and Mitigation
- Stricter export and licensing restrictions for interference devices.
- Development of technological solutions to:
— Reduce false terrain alerts.
— Improve spoofing detection via portable devices.
— Ensure rapid equipment recovery after signal loss.
3. Managing Infrastructure and Airspace
- Maintaining traditional navigation networks as backups to GNSS.
- Integrating military capabilities into air traffic management, such as tactical networks and real-time interference monitoring.
- Contingency procedures to ensure safe navigation during disruptions.
4. Improved Coordination and Preparedness
- Strengthening civil-military cooperation, including data sharing on interference.
- Preparing for emerging threats, such as drone operations in GNSS-compromised environments.
Toward a Global Strategy Led by ICAO
Both EASA and IATA agreed that successful implementation of this plan requires global coordination. “Aviation must act united and without delay,” stressed Careen, pointing to the upcoming ICAO Assembly as a pivotal moment to advance international standards, clear guidelines, and effective reporting mechanisms.
The initiative aims not only to address the current threat but also to anticipate its evolution. As Rasmussen stated: “This is a technical and strategic challenge demanding immediate action, global coordination, and structural resilience.”
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