Estonian pilots have been reporting intermittent GPS signal disturbances for over a year and a half.
“When pilots signal a problem, controllers must issue additional instructions,” said Mihkel Haug of the Estonian Air Navigation Service, as quoted by Estonian media outlet ERR.
Despite the interference, upgraded air traffic control systems and modernized equipment have prevented any direct threat to flight safety. However, Finnair has suspended its flights to Tartu, Finland, following recent disruptions.
Specialist Erko Kulu from the Department of Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision noted that the interference has little impact on everyday GPS usage in mobile phones or automobiles but can be more problematic for drone operations near the country’s eastern border.
He added that the source of the daily signal disruptions appears to be located in Russia, near St. Petersburg, where jamming devices may be deployed close to military installations.
Last year, Estonian authorities received nearly 300 reports related to GPS interference, prompting further scrutiny from neighboring countries.
While the adjustments have sufficed for ensuring the safety of civil aviation, experts stress that the ongoing disruptions underscore an “invisible war of signals” that could have broader implications for regional security and precision-dependent technologies.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24, CBC