Pilots approaching Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) have been facing serious navigation issues over the past week, with aircraft GPS systems reportedly providing incorrect location data during landing attempts. According to pilots, the Global Positioning System displays the aircraft as being far from Delhi even while flying directly over the city, a disruption aviation experts identify as GPS “spoofing”.
This technical anomaly has resulted in flight diversions. On Tuesday alone, at least eight Delhi-bound aircraft were redirected to Jaipur. Although air traffic congestion was cited officially as the cause, sources suggest GPS spoofing significantly contributed to the disruptions.
ALSO READ: 'Daaru Peekar Kaise…': Bihar Dy CM Vijay Sinha, RJD MLC Exchange Heated Barbs In Lakhisarai | VIDEO
Aviation expert Mark Martin stated that while GPS spoofing is not new, incidents have increased noticeably in recent times, posing a major challenge at India’s busiest airport. He warned that India’s heavy dependence on satellite-based navigation leaves the aviation sector vulnerable, especially with no strong backup system in place.
Spoofing, often used in conflict zones to mislead enemy aircraft and drones, is now beginning to affect civilian aviation globally, with Asian airspace seeing the highest frequency due to active geopolitical tensions.
Martin recommended that India urgently strengthen its ground-based navigation infrastructure and ensure pilots regularly practise non-GPS landing procedures, which are currently limited to training environments.
ALSO READ: AIIMS Develops Rs 100 Cervical Cancer Screening Kit; Market Launch Expected By 2026
Meanwhile, cyber expert Amit Dubey said it is premature to conclude the source of interference at IGIA. He noted that GPS operates on a specific frequency band, and disruption could arise either from a malicious signal of equal strength or from another system transmitting on a conflicting spectrum. A detailed investigation is underway.