DGCA: GPS spoofing cases at IGI should be reported in real time

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandating real-time reporting of any suspected GPS spoofing or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference incidents in and around Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, following a recent disruption to aircraft navigation systems (ANS).

- Neha LM Tripathi

The directive, issued on November 10, requires all aircraft operators, flight crew, and Airports Authority of India (AAD) units to detect and report any abnormal GPS behaviour such as position anomalies, navigation errors, or loss of GNSS signal integrity within 10 minutes of occurrence. According to the circular, the objective of coming up with the SOPs is to ensure immediate, accurate and standardized reporting of any suspected GPS spoofing or interference for effective investigation, analysis and mitigation.

GPS spoofing involves sending fake satellite signals to trick a navigation system into showing the wrong position, speed, or time.