Resilience in Aviation: GNSS Spoofing, Flight Planning and Operator Preparedness

One of the priorities in the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS 2023–2025) is building resilience in our aviation system. That word can sound abstract — until you face it in daily operations.

Over the last year, operators flying in and around regions close to conflict zones, such as the Ukraine border, have reported increasing cases of GNSS spoofing and jamming. This interference may cause aircraft navigation systems to provide misleading or degraded position data.

Resilience in aviation = training, planning, awareness

What makes this issue challenging?

Unlike a technical defect in your own fleet, spoofing and jamming cannot be fixed by the operator. It is an external risk that crews may encounter unexpectedly.

What can operators do?

Resilience comes from preparation and awareness. Practical steps include:

• Education and awareness: Train flight crews, dispatchers, and operations control center staff to recognize and respond to GNSS interference.

• Backup procedures: Ensure crews are confident in using conventional navigation (VOR/DME, inertial systems, procedural routes).

• Flight planning discipline: Crews and dispatchers should not be forced into “choosing” between flying into a conflict area or into severe weather. Good operational control means avoiding either option through planning.

• Reporting culture: Encourage crews to report incidents of GNSS interference so that trends can be monitored and shared across the industry.

Why this matters

Resilience isn’t about eliminating every threat — it’s about ensuring our people and systems can withstand and adapt to shocks, whether they come from a pandemic, a geopolitical crisis, or unseen hazards like GNSS spoofing.

👉 Has your operation experienced GNSS interference? How do you prepare crews and dispatchers for this type of risk?