A perplexing aviation safety challenge has emerged over Delhi, with multiple airlines reporting significant GPS spoofing that could be orchestrated by Pakistan. For the past week, aircraft operating within approximately 60 nautical miles of the capital have experienced a disturbing phenomenon: their navigation systems have displayed incorrect positions and altitudes. This has led to concerning cockpit alerts, including misleading warnings about terrain that is actually clear. Pilots have confirmed encountering these falsified signals across numerous flights, sometimes forcing them to abandon automated approaches and rely on manual guidance from air traffic control. The impact extends beyond just flight safety, as these disruptions have also exacerbated delays at Delhi Airport. While GPS interference is a known issue near India’s western border, its appearance over Delhi is highly unusual and alarming, especially without any preceding advisory for military exercises or NOTAMs. Authorities are investigating whether this electronic interference stems from cross-border activities. Although modern aircraft possess redundant navigation systems that mitigate the immediate risk of a crash, experts warn that such spoofing can escalate cockpit workload and confusion, potentially increasing the risk of errors during critical flight phases. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is undertaking a thorough technical review to analyze flight data and ATC logs.
