Like our mobiles or our cars, airplanes turn to satellites to know where they are. These signals, integrated into the FMS management system (FMS)improve the precision and efficiency of aerial trajectories. Nevertheless, That system is not unique or infallible: In interference situations, pilots must resort to classical aid such as inertial systems, terrestrial radio aids or even paper maps.
In times of war, These setbacks have become more commonespecially in areas close to active conflicts. What was previously a rare incident is a real concern for airlines, controllers and governments. The recent flight of Ursula von der Leyen to Bulgaria has put it back in the fore, remembering that even the most advanced systems can fail and that Europe is reinforcing its defenses to avoid it.
When the GNSS system of a plane gives problems
Surely you have heard of “GPS” to refer to satellite positioning. It is a popular term, but technically incorrect: the system is called GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and integrates several constellations, such as the American GPS, European Galileo, Russian Glonass and Chinese Beidou. In aviation, modern receptors can combine signals from different networks To improve reliability, which allows aircraft to plan more efficient routes and land accurately in airports where it was unthinkable before.
The incident with the Ursula von der Leyen plane is a good example of what happens when that network fails. The European Commission confirmed that its flight experienced an interruption of the satellite signal on August 31, 2025, when it approached Plovdiv, south of Bulgaria. According to Reutersand Financial Timesthe pilots completed the landing using printed letters and traditional navigation procedures. Bulgaria explained that “The satellite signal that transmitted information to the GNSS system of the plane was neutralized.” The commission added thataccording to the Bulgarian authorities, there is suspected “flagrant interference” by Russia; Moscow denies it.
If you have ever wondered how a plane continues to fly when GNSS loses, the answer is in the redundancy. In addition to satellite signals, it has inertial systems They calculate the position using accelerometers and gyroscopes, as well as radiusayudas on land as. In Europe, The Galileo Network Work next to Egnosan increase system that corrects errors and allows precision operations. This technological network makes GNS loss complicate the flight, but reduces risk scenarios.
When we talk about “interferences” we do not always refer to the same. There are two main techniques: Jammingwhich blocks the signals, and Spoofingthat introduces false information to deceive the receiver. For pilots, both phenomena can translate into changes in experience and greater workload. Therefore, although Von der Leyen’s flight ends well, the event has served as a reminder: the skies have become a more complex land with this type of threats in the air.
The president of the European Commission greets Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov upon arrival in Plovdiv, on a trip marked by an incident of Jamming Satellitan
A clear example of these risks occurred in March 2024. The positioning system of the Royal Air Force plane that transported the then Secretary of Defense of the United Kingdom, Grant Shapps, It was interfered for several minutes while flying near the Russian enclave of Kalinningrad. According to British government sources cited by Reutersthe pilots had to resort to alternative navigation methods. The Kremlin did not comment on the event, which was interpreted in the West as a demonstration of the electronic warfare capabilities of Russia.
Bulgaria and the European Commission point to Russia as possible responsible for the interference suffered by the Dassault Falcon 900lx (registration oo-gpe) that transferred Ursula von der Leyen, Operated by Luxaviation Belgium and en route aab53g between Warsaw and Plovdiv, According to Flightradar24 data. The aircraft was a charter flight, since community institutions do not have an official fleet, and there are no conclusive evidence or confirmation that it was a deliberate action against the plane. Moscow has denied any involvement.
The aircraft was a charter flight, since community institutions do not have its own official fleet.
To what extent is it dangerous to lose GNSS signal in full flight? Redundant systems and emergency procedures drastically reduce the risk of an accident, but do not eliminate concern. EASA warns that interference GNSS can degrade communication, navigation and supervision functions, and cause false TAWS alerts (Terrain Awareness and Warning System), the alert system that warns the crew when there is Risk of collision with land or obstacles. Each extra alarm in cabin implies more workload for crews, which must react rapidly to maintain flight safety.
According to Airbuswhen the GNSS signal is lost, the aircraft does not lose its main navigation capacity. The flight management system (FMS) compensates for loss using data from other sources such as inertial reference systems (IRS) and RadioAyudas (Vor/DME), maintaining a precise position calculation. However, some high precision navigation and surveillance functions that depend exclusively on the GNSS can be temporarily affected until the signal is recovered.
The institutional response also advances. The European Commissioner of Defense, Andrius Kubilius, announced that the European Union plans to strengthen its satellite network in low orbit To improve the detection of interference, although deadlines or operational details have not yet been completed. Galileo already offers Osnmaan operational service since July 24, 2025 that authentic navigation messages and helps identify and mitigate attempts to supplant signal (spoofing).
Ursula von der Leyen plane landed without serious incidents, but the message is clear: without satellite navigation, modern aviation loses an essential piece. Europe works to reinforce this infrastructure, both technological and defensively, with the aim that what happened in Bulgaria is an isolated episode in a technological war that is already fought in space and cyberspace. The details of these measures are yet to be defined.
Images | Dassault Aviation | Rossen Jeliazkov
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