Civil aviation flights from India operating in the UAE airspace are increasingly encountering GPS spoofing, a phenomenon where navigation signals are tampered with to misdirect aircraft from their intended paths. The surge in GPS interference comes amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has forced airlines to reroute flights around Iranian, Israeli, and Iraqi airspace, sources confirmed.

Officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and multiple Indian airlines reported that GPS spoofing incidents have caused flights to deviate slightly from their routes, leading to longer journeys, higher aviation turbine fuel consumption, and operational delays. Pilots are able to correct course by switching to manual navigation, ensuring passenger safety, though flights are experiencing disruptions and increased operational costs.

“Many nations are deploying GPS spoofing technologies to protect their skies and redirect drones or missiles,” an airline official said. “Civilian planes flying in the region can inadvertently be misled, resulting in extended flight times and additional fuel usage.” The official emphasized that while safety has not been significantly compromised, the economic and logistical impact on airlines is notable.

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A senior AAI representative confirmed the trend, noting that flights often go off track before returning to their original routes. The interference has heightened awareness within the aviation sector about potential vulnerabilities, especially in conflict zones where GPS manipulation is being used strategically.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar previously warned that “Radio Navigation Satellite Service interference can impact aircraft operations far beyond the immediate affected area, creating potential safety risks across multiple flight regions.” ICAO is working with member states to implement protective measures and aviation safety standards to mitigate such threats.

Aviation enthusiasts and analysts note that GPS spoofing is no longer confined to military applications. “It spans land, air, and now seas,” said Shardul Chauhan, citing instances where state and non-state actors misled aircraft, drones, ships, and weapon systems. The growing prevalence of this technology underscores the challenges civil aviation faces in navigating conflict-affected regions while maintaining operational safety.

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