Lost in Transmission: How GPS Spoofing and Jamming Endanger Global Air Travel
GPS spoofing and jamming is an increasingly popular form of cyberattacks. The Global Positioning System (GPS) works by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers on the ground. The receivers then calculate the position based on the time it takes for the signals to arrive. GPS jamming involves generating a strong radio signal to overpower GPS signals. GPS spoofing is more dangerous, as it involves broadcasting false GPS signals to mislead the GPS into thinking it is somewhere it is not. This can misdirect navigation systems, mislead vehicles or even trick smartphone apps. This article focuses on GPS spoofing and jamming within the airline industry.
The Threat to Aviation and Other Sectors
These attacks can be targeted at airlines for several reasons. In conflict zones, a signal is broadcasted to create an incorrect position in order to confuse incoming planes, drones or missiles. In other countries, it can pose a threat to industries that rely on GPS such as delivery, transportation and emergency services, as well as people’s personal smartphones and potentially the data within them. This poses GPS spoofing and jamming as a rising threat in today digitally evolving society.
Mapping GPS Spoofing and Jamming
A map created by SkAI Data Services, using OpenSky Network data, visualizes recent incidents of GPS spoofing and jamming around the world. The map groups affected flights, displaying their last known positions before spoofing events occurred. Blue markers indicate the aircraft’s last accurate location, while color-coded hexagons (from light yellow to dark red) represent the intensity and frequency of interference. Users can interact with the map to analyze the number of affected aircraft, categorized by navigation integrity levels (NIC), where higher values indicate stronger GPS accuracy.
**Caption:** The map shows GPS interference intensity, with darker red hexagons indicating higher spoofing and jamming levels. Blue markers represent last known aircraft positions before spoofing. Source: SkAI Data Services
The data highlights several high-risk regions for GPS interference. The most affected areas include Russia and its neighboring countries—Belarus, Finland, Latvia, Estonia, and Georgia—extending into Poland, Crimea, and Turkey, and covering the Dead Sea region. Other impacted areas include the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Thailand. As the map is updated daily, the data continuously reflects the changing nature of GPS spoofing and jamming incidents.
GPS spoofing and jamming incidents across Eastern Europe, Russia, and parts of the Middle East, including Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Poland. Darker red hexagons indicate higher interference levels, with blue markers showing affected aircraft. Source: SkAI Data Services
The Need for Stronger Countermeasures
GPS spoofing and jamming pose a significant and evolving threat, particularly in the airline industry. As data from SkAI Data Services and OpenSky Network shows, certain regions are heavily affected, raising concerns about aviation safety and security. With global navigation systems becoming more integral to transportation, security, and personal devices, it is crucial for governments, airlines, and tech companies to develop stronger countermeasures against these attacks. Enhancing GPS resilience, investing in alternative navigation technologies, and enforcing stricter cybersecurity policies can help mitigate these risks in an increasingly digital world.
