NEW DELHI: For the first time, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has reported GPS spoofing incidents, disrupting flight operations and triggering safety concerns among airlines and regulators.
Over the past few days, aircraft approaching Delhi have experienced false navigation signals, forcing many to alter landing and take-off patterns. The problem intensifies during easterly wind conditions, prompting air traffic control to route landings from the Dwarka side and departures toward Vasant Kunj, adding to congestion and delays.
What Is GPS Spoofing?
GPS spoofing occurs when counterfeit satellite signals are broadcast to mislead navigation systems, causing aircraft to register incorrect coordinates. Unlike GPS jamming—which blocks signals—spoofing feeds false positional data, making pilots and onboard systems believe they are elsewhere.
Such incidents have previously been reported in conflict-prone regions like the Black Sea and West Asia, but this marks the first known occurrence in Delhi airspace.
Runway Upgrade Adds to the Challenge
Compounding the issue is the temporary suspension of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) on Delhi Airport’s primary runway 10/28, which is undergoing an upgrade to Category III standards. Without ILS support, aircraft rely more heavily on GPS, making spoofing disruptions particularly critical.
Officials said spoofing signals have been detected up to 60 nautical miles from IGIA, severely impacting main-runway operations. On Tuesday night alone, five IndiGo and two Air India flights were diverted to Jaipur due to navigation difficulties.
Congestion and Safety Concerns
Delhi Airport is currently managing nearly 1,550 aircraft movements daily, leaving minimal buffer for disruptions. The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) has repeatedly issued alerts, urging pilots to use conventional navigation aids when GPS anomalies are detected.
A senior official said, “The situation is under control, but pilots are being extra cautious while entering Delhi’s airspace.”
Authorities and Airlines Respond
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) and aviation regulators are expediting efforts to restore ILS functionality by November 27. A trial flight by IndiGo has already tested the newly installed approach lighting system, with findings submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“ILS promulgation on runway 10/28 needs to be completed at the earliest,” said an aviation source. “November 27 is still weeks away, and operational risks remain high.”
A Growing Global Concern
Experts warn that GPS spoofing and jamming are increasingly common worldwide. While jamming conceals locations, spoofing can mislead aircraft by hundreds—or even thousands—of kilometres. Such interference, once confined to conflict zones, is now a growing civil aviation threat.
Airlines have begun issuing pre-flight advisories about potential spoofing hotspots, instructing pilots to revert to traditional ground-based navigation systems if GPS readings appear inconsistent.
What’s Next for IGIA
Authorities have acknowledged the issue but refrained from commenting on the source of the spoofing, citing security sensitivities. The immediate priority, officials said, is to reactivate the ILS to ensure safe and uninterrupted flight operations.
Once upgrades are completed, runway 10/28 will feature Category III systems on both ends, improving operational resilience during low visibility and technical disruptions.
“The key is to get ILS back online as soon as possible,” said a senior aviation source. “That’s the most effective way to neutralize spoofing-related risks.”
