Air traffic over the national capital has come under the scanner amid alarming reports of “severe” GPS spoofing incidents. According to sources, multiple pilots have experienced incorrect navigational readings and false terrain warnings while flying over Delhi in recent days, prompting an urgent probe by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The situation first came to light when several airline pilots reported receiving misleading cockpit alerts, including erroneous warnings about obstacles that did not exist. The spoofing, detected within a 60-nautical-mile radius of Delhi, has raised serious concerns about flight safety and airspace security. Air traffic controllers have confirmed repeated disruptions, though officials clarified that no ongoing military exercises were announced in the area.

In response, the DGCA has issued an advisory directing airlines to prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to submit bi-monthly incident reports. The government has also reached out to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for technical assistance and data sharing. Aviation experts, however, have stressed that immediate threats to flight safety remain minimal, thanks to backup systems like the Inertial Reference System, which continue to provide reliable navigational support.

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Reports indicate that the spoofing problem has worsened due to upgrades of the main runway’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Indira Gandhi International Airport. With pilots relying more heavily on satellite-based ‘Required Navigation Performance’ (RNP) technology during these works, the risk of interference has grown. Flights approaching from the Dwarka side under east wind conditions are the most affected.

The ongoing disruption has already caused a ripple effect, including diversions to other airports such as Jaipur and mounting congestion at Delhi’s IGI Airport. While the DGCA continues its investigation, airlines are now actively training pilots on alternative navigation techniques to mitigate future risks. The incident underscores the growing cybersecurity challenges facing India’s aviation sector in an increasingly digital navigation environment.

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