Airlines face a lot of operational challenges nowadays, especially related to Russian airspace. Well, here’s an interesting twist on that, whereby Finnair is having to suspend a route to Estonia due to actions on Russia’s part…
Finnair suspends Tartu flights for a month
Between April 29 and May 31, 2024, Finnair has suspended its flight between Helsinki, Finland (HEL), and Tartu, Estonia (TAY). Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia, located near the border with Russia. Finnair is the only airline operating service there, The oneworld carrier uses an ATR-72 turboprop for the route, covering a distance of just 152 miles.
So, why is this route being cut for now? The approach methods currently used at Tartu Airport are based on a GPS signal. Unfortunately GPS interference, which is quite common in the area, is impacting the usability of this approach method, and can prevent the aircraft from landing there safely.
For example, recently two Finnair flights to Tartu had to return to Helsinki after GPS interference prevented the approach. For now, Finnair is suspending this route for roughly a month, with the goal of building an approach method at the airport that enables a safe and smooth operation without a GPS signal.
Here’s how Jari Paajanen, Finnair’s Director of Operations, describes this development:
“We apologize for the inconvenience the suspension causes to our customers. Flight safety is always our top priority, and as the approach to Tartu currently requires a GPS signal, we cannot fly there in the event of GPS interference.”
“The systems on Finnair’s aircraft detect GPS interference, our pilots are well aware of the issue, and the aircraft have other navigation systems that can be used when the GPS system is unserviceable. Most airports use alternative approach methods, but some airports, such as Tartu, only use methods that require a GPS signal to support them. The GPS interference in Tartu forces us to suspend flights until alternative solutions have been established.”
This has become an increasingly common problem
Finnair isn’t alone in dealing with a significant increase in GPS interference since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. In particular, Finnair pilots have reported interference near Kaliningrad, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ordinarily, GPS interference doesn’t impact flight routes or safety, as pilots have alternative systems in place that are used when the GPS signal is interfered with. However, as you can see, this is specifically an issue at Tartu Airport, given the lack of alternative approach methods.
If you’re curious to learn more about the concept of GPS jamming, below is a video that explains this in detail.
Bottom line
While there has been increasing talk of GPS jamming impacting aviation, it’s not often that we see a route being suspended because of it. However, that’s exactly what happened to Finnair’s flight to an Estonian airport near a border with Russia, where repeated GPS jamming is impacting the carrier’s ability to operate this flight.
For now the route is suspended for around a month, though I’m curious to see how this plays out.
What do you make of Finnair’s GPS jamming issue?
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