GPS Spoofing And GNSS Interference Affect Indian Airports, Ministry Reports

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed GPS spoofing and GNSS interference affecting Delhi and several large airports, leading to flight disruptions and stricter checks. The disclosure came in Parliament, where the government outlined technical risks and the current safety framework.

Flights operating in the airspace around Delhi and other busy hubs have reported interference with satellite navigation signals. Officials briefed the Rajya Sabha that these incidents disrupted normal operations and forced crews to depend more on traditional navigation systems during affected periods.

GPS spoofing and GNSS interference at Indian airports

Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, cited a key regulatory step. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation made it mandatory in November 2023 to report every case of GPS jamming or spoofing, after which “regular reports are being received from other major airports in the country.”

According to the ministry, confirmed GNSS interference has not been limited to Delhi’s airspace. Similar events were reported from airports in Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai. The locations highlighted by the government are shown below for clarity.

The minister said India continues to operate a Minimum Operating Network using conventional ground-based navigation and surveillance systems. These backup facilities are aligned with global practice and are meant to keep flights safe when satellite-based navigation suffers disruption from GPS spoofing or broader GNSS interference.