GPS spoofing incidents disrupt Delhi airport operations
GPS spoofing incidents have disrupted operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport in recent weeks, causing aircraft to receive incorrect location data and false terrain warnings. The aviation regulator DGCA mandated real-time reporting within 10 minutes, while India's National Security Advisor's office launched a formal investigation.
What happened
In recent weeks, GPS spoofing and interference incidents have been reported at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, the country's busiest airport handling over 1,500 flight movements daily.
Aircraft approaching the airport have experienced incorrect location data and false terrain warnings beginning approximately 60 nautical miles from the airport.
Reported impact
The incidents represent an unprecedented occurrence of GPS spoofing at Delhi Airport, a phenomenon previously common only in conflict zones.
The disruptions have affected normal airport operations and prompted regulatory intervention.
Index analysis
The DGCA issued a circular on November 10 mandating that pilots, air traffic controllers, and technical units report GPS spoofing incidents within 10 minutes of detection, including details such as aircraft type, registration, flight route, coordinates, type of interference, and equipment affected.
The National Security Advisor's office has launched an investigation into the spoofing incidents, coordinating with multiple aviation and defence agencies.
Governance controls
The DGCA established a real-time reporting protocol requiring submission of incident details within 10 minutes, including preservation of system logs, screenshots, and images of flight management systems.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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