Finnair has decided to temporarily suspend its flights to Tartu in eastern Estonia for a month due to GPS disturbances, the Finnish airline stated on Monday.
Finnair announced that it will suspend its daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, from April 29 to May 31. This decision aims to implement an alternative approach solution at Tartu Airport that does not rely on a GPS signal, the carrier mentioned in a statement.
Finnair reported that two of its flights last week had to return to Helsinki after GPS interference hindered their approach to Tartu.
Transition plan implemented to address GPS issues
Finnair stated that the goal now is to establish approach methods at Tartu Airport that facilitate safe and seamless flight operations even in the absence of a GPS signal.
The disturbances have escalated since 2022, with Finnair pilots reporting interference, particularly in areas near the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, Kaliningrad and the Eastern Mediterranean, the company said.
In most cases, GPS interference does not impact flight routes or safety, as pilots are aware of the issue, and aircraft are equipped with alternative systems that come into play when the GPS signal is disrupted, it added.