In the first four months of 2024, there was a sharp and worrying increase in the number of disruptions affecting global satellite navigation systems (GNSS) over Latvian airspace.
Alarming Growth in GNSS Signal Disruptions
According to the air navigation services provider “Latvijas gaisa satiksme” (LGS), these disruptions were recorded 399 times during this period. This number represents a 56.5% rise compared to the same months last year.
Looking closely at April 2024, the situation shows an even more rapid escalation. That month alone saw 109 recorded disruptions. This is a significant jump of 60.3% compared to April 2023, when 68 incidents were logged. The data points to a clear and troubling trend of increasing GNSS signal issues over Latvia.
When examining the yearly totals, the growth becomes even more striking. So far in 2024, 820 disruptions have been registered. This figure dwarfs the 342 recorded cases in 2023 and is far beyond the mere 26 incidents reported in 2022. The increase over these years highlights a growing problem in the reliability of satellite navigation signals within Latvian airspace.
It is important to note that LGS does not provide a breakdown of these disruptions by airline. The total numbers reflect all recorded incidents affecting GNSS signals, regardless of which aircraft or airline was involved.
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Understanding the Impact on Aviation Safety
The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) in Latvia has addressed the situation by explaining how it manages reports of GPS signal interference. The CAA carefully reviews and analyses every report of GNSS disruptions over Latvian airspace. While these disruptions do affect normal civil aviation processes, the CAA emphasizes that they do not compromise the safety of aircraft flying through or near Latvia.
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is one of several navigation tools used by pilots and air traffic controllers to guide airplanes safely in the sky. Even though GPS helps with positioning and navigation, it is not the only system on which flights depend. This means that if GPS signals are lost or disrupted, other navigation systems step in to ensure that planes can still fly safely.
The CAA assures that the safety of flights—whether they are passing over Latvia, landing, or taking off—remains intact despite these signal problems. This is because flight safety is based on multiple layers of navigation support, not just GPS alone.
To maintain a high standard of safety, all incidents involving interference with GPS signals are collected centrally and carefully analysed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This agency monitors aviation safety across Europe and helps to coordinate responses to problems like the ones seen in Latvian airspace.
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Roles of Latvian Aviation Authorities
Latvijas gaisa satiksme (LGS) is the state-owned company responsible for managing air navigation services within Latvian airspace. This means LGS oversees how planes are guided and controlled while flying over Latvia. They keep track of navigation signals, including GPS, and report any disruptions that occur.
The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA), on the other hand, has a broader role. This government agency is in charge of overseeing flight safety and security in Latvia. It ensures that airlines and airports follow aviation rules and regulations. The CAA also monitors how aircraft emissions affect the environment and implements national policies related to aviation.
Together, LGS and the CAA work to maintain safe and efficient air traffic control and flight operations in Latvia. Their responsibilities include identifying and managing disruptions in navigation signals, like the GNSS problems reported in recent years.
Despite the rise in GPS disruptions, these organizations emphasize that aviation safety is not compromised. They continue to analyse the situation closely and coordinate with European authorities to understand the causes and potential solutions.
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This detailed overview highlights the sharp increase in GNSS signal disruptions over Latvian airspace and explains how aviation safety is managed despite these challenges. The growing number of signal issues has caught the attention of aviation authorities, but current systems and procedures help ensure that flights remain safe and secure.
