Disruptions to global satellite navigation systems in Latvian airspace were recorded 290 times in the first three months of this year, which is a 55.1% increase compared to the same period last year, representatives of the state-owned company “Latvijas Gaisa Satiksme” (LGS) told the LETA news agency.
In March alone, 52 global satellite navigation system disruptions were registered, which is half as many as in March last year, when 103 incidents were recorded.
In total, 820 global satellite navigation disruptions were reported in 2024, compared to 342 cases in 2023 and just 26 in 2022.
LGS previously noted that these statistics do not include a breakdown of data by specific airlines.
The company also stated that the disruptions began at the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and are apparently related to that conflict.
The Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) previously explained to LETA that it examines and analyses reports of GPS signal disruptions in Latvian airspace. While these disruptions affect normal civil aviation processes, they do not pose a threat to the safety of flights transiting through, departing from, or arriving in Latvia.
The CAA emphasizes that multiple systems are used to ensure flight safety, so GPS interference does not compromise it. Each instance of GPS disruption is centrally collected and analysed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
LGS is a 100% state-owned company responsible for providing aeronautical navigation services to users of Latvian airspace.
The mission of the CAA is to implement national policy and administration regarding the use of Latvian airspace and the operations of civil aviation, including monitoring flight safety and aviation security, as well as ensuring aircraft emissions comply with environmental protection requirements.