India has now issued a NOTAM alert for flights passing through its airspace near Mumbai. The authorities are warning pilots about potential GPS interference or sudden signal loss. Scroll down to know more details.
NOTAM Alert Mumbai Airport
A NOTAM, or Notice to Air Missions, is an official alert that informs pilots about temporary hazards or changes that could affect flight safety. Geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon shared on X that the NOTAM for Mumbai will remain active from November 13 to November 17. During this time, certain routes may experience disrupted GPS-based navigation.
Just two days before this alert, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) instructed airlines, pilots, and air traffic controllers to report any GPS interference or spoofing within 10 minutes of detection, The Free Press Journal reported.
With this NOTAM in place, some flights from Mumbai may face delays or require minor route adjustments if GPS signals weaken or drop during the alert period. The safety notice became necessary after several such cases were recently reported around Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
GPS spoofing occurs when false GPS signals interfere with real ones, causing aircraft systems to receive misleading or inaccurate location data. Even brief interference can affect navigation and flight planning, making quick reporting essential for safety.
Technical Issues At Delhi Airport
Did you know Delhi Airport recently faced a major technical glitch? According to The Free Press Journal, on November 6, the airport’s central Air Traffic Control (ATC) system faced a serious issue linked to the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS). This system is important as it helps manage flight plans and support ATC communication.
The issue lasted for 15 hours, causing a delay of over 800 flights and the cancellation of around 100. Thousands of passengers were left waiting, and both domestic and international airlines faced major operational challenges throughout the day. By November 8, the civil aviation ministry announced that the system had been fully restored to automatic mode. They also confirmed that no further cancellations happened due to this glitch.
Did you have any issues while travelling because of the recent GPS issue at the airport? Let us know in the comments!
Also Read: After Delhi Blast, Hoax Bomb Threats Spark Panic At Airports Across Delhi, Mumbai & More
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ Innocent Bunny