EASA and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a strategic plan to address the escalating threat of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) interference following a joint workshop held in Cologne, Germany, last month.
The collaborative initiative addresses a 220% increase in GPS signal loss events between 2021 and 2024, according to IATA data from the Global Aviation Data Management Flight Data eXchange. Incidents of jamming and spoofing have proliferated across Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with similar occurrences reported globally.
“GNSS disruptions are evolving in terms of both frequency and complexity,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA flight standards director. “We are no longer just containing GNSS interference—we must build resilience.” The evolving threat requires a dynamic response that goes beyond traditional containment approaches.
The four-pillar framework encompasses enhanced reporting and monitoring, prevention and mitigation measures, infrastructure and airspace management improvements, and strengthened coordination among agencies. Key initiatives include standardizing radio call procedures for reporting interference, implementing standardized notam Q codes, and establishing real-time airspace monitoring capabilities.
Technical solutions under development focus on reducing false terrain warnings, improving situational awareness through portable spoofing detectors, and ensuring rapid GPS equipment recovery following signal disruption. The plan also emphasizes maintaining backup navigation aids and more effectively using military air traffic management capabilities.
“The number of global positioning system signal loss events increased by 220% between 2021 and 2024,” noted Nick Careen, IATA’s senior v-p of operations, safety, and security.
Attended by more than 120 experts from the aviation industry, research organizations, and government bodies, the workshop concluded that enhanced civil-military coordination and preparation for evolving threat capabilities, including drone-related interference, remain critical priorities for maintaining aviation safety and security.