IATA and EASA Launch Global Plan to Counter Growing GNSS Signal Threats

In response to the alarming rise in disruptions to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have jointly released a strategic action plan to safeguard global air navigation from interference. The initiative was formalized following a high-level workshop hosted by EASA in Cologne, Germany, on 22–23 May 2024, bringing together more than 120 aviation experts, regulators, researchers, and military representatives.

The new plan emphasizes a proactive, globally coordinated approach to GNSS interference, focusing on detection, mitigation, airspace management, and interagency coordination—a crucial shift from the reactive strategies that have predominated until now.

“We are no longer just containing GNSS interference — we must build resilience,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA Flight Standards Director. “The evolving nature of the threat demands a dynamic and ambitious action plan.”

Escalating Threat: GPS Signal Loss Surges Globally

GNSS technologies, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), are integral to modern aviation, enabling precise navigation, terrain avoidance, and optimized routing. However, the aviation industry is now grappling with a significant and growing threat from GNSS interference, particularly in the form of jamming (intentional signal blocking) and spoofing (deliberate transmission of false location signals).

According to IATA’s Global Aviation Data Management Flight Data eXchange (GADM FDX), reports of GPS signal loss increased by an astonishing 220% between 2021 and 2024. These incidents are concentrated in conflict-prone areas such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but have also been documented across the globe.

“With ongoing geopolitical instability, it is unlikely this trend will reverse soon,” warned Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety, and Security. “We must act together to strengthen aviation resilience.”

Key Outcomes: Four-Pillar Action Plan

The workshop led to the development of a four-pronged strategy, designed to harden aviation systems against GNSS disruptions and ensure continued safety of flight operations.

1. Enhanced Reporting and Monitoring

• Implement standardized radio communication protocols for pilots and air traffic controllers to report GNSS anomalies.

• Adopt consistent NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) Q codes to categorize interference.

• Set up real-time monitoring systems and rapid data dissemination protocols to detect and relay GNSS anomalies swiftly.

2. Prevention and Mitigation

• Tighten export controls and licensing of jamming technologies.

• Invest in technical countermeasures, including:

  • Devices to reduce false terrain collision warnings;

  • Portable spoofing detectors for real-time identification of threats;

  • Enhanced protocols for rapid recovery of GPS systems after loss.

3. Infrastructure and Airspace Management

• Maintain a minimum operational network of conventional navigation aids (e.g., VOR, DME, and ILS) as backups to GNSS.

• Leverage military tactical navigation systems and incorporate GNSS event detection into airspace management tools.

• Develop robust contingency and reversion protocols to enable safe navigation even during extended signal outages.

4. Coordination and Preparedness

• Enhance civil-military coordination, including the sharing of radio frequency interference (RFI) event data.

• Establish joint training exercises and risk assessments for GNSS disruptions.

• Address threats to unmanned aerial systems (drones) and their reliance on GNSS for safe operation.

Global Call for ICAO Engagement

Both IATA and EASA underscored the need for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to take the lead in setting global standards, updating operational guidance, and facilitating consistent reporting protocols across countries.

“ICAO must prioritize GNSS interference at its next Assembly,” said Careen. “We need global alignment to stay ahead of this growing threat.”

This call to action reflects the recognition that no single country or agency can tackle GNSS interference alone, and that airspace safety requires international solidarity and shared infrastructure resilience.

Aviation’s Shared Responsibility

The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Airlines and pilots' associations

• Air traffic management authorities

• Defense and security agencies

• Satellite operators

• Research institutions

This broad participation reflects the multi-layered nature of GNSS security and the need for integrated risk management strategies.

“This is a critical safety issue that cuts across borders, airspace sectors, and industries,” said Rasmussen. “Through collaboration, we can ensure that air travel remains safe, secure, and navigable—despite the risks.”

As the aviation sector moves deeper into the digital age, IATA and EASA’s joint roadmap offers a forward-looking and technically grounded framework for addressing one of the most pressing navigational safety challenges of the 21st century.