The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is examining a series of severe GPS spoofing incidents affecting aircraft over Delhi. The interference has caused pilots to receive false navigation data, including incorrect aircraft positions and terrain alerts, raising operational and security concerns. At Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the temporary withdrawal of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for its main runway has affected navigation, especially as aircraft now depend entirely on GPS-based Required Navigation Performance (RNP) systems. These disruptions have led to congestion, delays, and multiple flight diversions, notably seven aircraft diverted to Jaipur in a single night.
Experts explain that spoofing manipulates GPS signals to feed false location data, unlike jamming, which blocks signals altogether. Such incidents have been reported in conflict zones worldwide, like Ukraine and Turkey, and now pose a security risk within India, given Delhi’s proximity to strategic installations. The DGCA is collecting data on these incidents and may escalate the issue to security agencies to develop countermeasures. The ongoing airport upgrade underscores the importance of reliable navigation systems, and authorities are emphasizing the need to address vulnerabilities to ensure aviation safety and protect national security.
