DGCA flags potential risk to civilian aircraft over parts of Middle East, issues advisory to Indian airlines
New Delhi, November 24: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised concerns about the potential risk to civilian aircraft flying over parts of the Middle East, issuing an advisory to all Indian airlines.
Recent reports indicate that navigation systems of civilian aircraft might be vulnerable to spoofing while traversing certain regions in the Middle East. This emerging safety hazard has prompted the DGCA to alert airlines regarding the nature of this threat and strategies to address it. The circular acknowledges the aviation industry's challenges due to evolving threats, specifically highlighting instances of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) jamming and spoofing. The DGCA advisory emphasises the increasing reports of GNSS interference in Middle Eastern airspace and advocates for the formulation of contingency plans to counter navigation system disruptions. Additionally, the DGCA has called for the establishment of a network dedicated to monitoring and analysing threats.
In late September, multiple commercial flights experienced navigation system disruptions near Iran, causing some aircraft to veer off-course. One flight, affected by spoofing, nearly entered Iranian airspace without authorisation.
Spoofing involves sending false GPS signals to deceive aircraft systems, leading them to believe they are flying off-course. This manipulation compromises the aircraft's navigation, rendering the inertial reference system unstable and often resulting in complete loss of navigation capability.
The focal point of concern lies in a high-traffic airway in Northern Iraq and Azerbaijan, particularly near Erbil. By September, 12 separate incidents had been reported, with the latest occurring close to Ankara, Turkey, on November 20.
While no single entity has been identified as the culprit, suspicions point towards potential jamming and spoofing from military electronic warfare systems deployed in regions experiencing geopolitical tensions.
The DGCA circular, grounded in recommendations from a specialised committee, outlines comprehensive mitigation measures aligned with international aviation guidelines. These measures encompass coordinated contingency procedures among aircraft operators, pilots, air traffic controllers, and equipment manufacturers. Furthermore, the circular advocates for the establishment of a monitoring network to swiftly address and analyse threats of GNSS interference, ensuring a robust response to emerging risks.
- With inputs from agencies
