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…
In this post:
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?
Well, this is the result of lack of diplomacy, and bad geopolitical strategic skills with emotional politicians in Finland. Instead of been the bridge between west and Russia, remain neutral, not aggressive, they choose the opposite, they close their airspace to Russia, thus shooting themselves on the foot. Finnair business strategic value was the use of Russian airspace to offer great connectivity to the far east, the result now for the lack of political wisdom...
Well, this is the result of lack of diplomacy, and bad geopolitical strategic skills with emotional politicians in Finland. Instead of been the bridge between west and Russia, remain neutral, not aggressive, they choose the opposite, they close their airspace to Russia, thus shooting themselves on the foot. Finnair business strategic value was the use of Russian airspace to offer great connectivity to the far east, the result now for the lack of political wisdom is a bankrupt airline. For context, Tartu, its just 30 miles from Russians border, and Finland has close its border with Russia, and has an aggressive policy against Russian citizen.
What were you expecting? If the US were in Russia shoes what do You think they will do?
As someone who believes we need to remove humans from aviation for our own safety, this only supports my position that pilots/ATC are obsolete.
This is one of a handful of opportunity to demonstrate how great airmanship / ATC is required to fly under conditions without GPS like in the 80s.
But nope, we don't fly. Too afraid of human error?
Did you even read it? This has nothing to do with humans. In fact, autonomous flight technology relies heavily on GPS assistance being in place.
The issue is that instrument approaches to the airport, which most airlines in Europe require under most circumstances, are only GPS based. They are actually planning to build a VOR, ILS or other approach based on radio aids.
Did you even read it?
The only time to demonstrate how essential human is was not allowed because they choose safety over airmanship.
Does anyone actually expect GPS to work in a war with a major power? Good thing that the war is confined geographically to a relatively small region. We're likely to lose ALL the modern conveniences (not just GPS) that we're accustomed to in a shooting war involving any major powers.
I’m sure the likes of Northrop Grumman and Elbit Systems have anti-jamming systems that are in use nowadays. I wonder if it’d be feasible to fit them onto commercial aircraft?
Or at least the Dassault Falcons used to carry the British MoD
Wow! I literally just flew this route 4 days ago and had no idea! The flight was fine.
On a related note, lots of GPS jamming going on in the Middle East too. On and off but people in Cyprus showing as being in Lebanon.
The United States illegally blows up Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines and people are worried about Russian aggression? You wonder why the Russians want to protect Kaliningrad from similar attacks? Kaliningrad is Russia. Denmark and Sweden opened investigations about the industrial sabotage and then close them for no reason.
You mean Königsberg?
Welcome Comrade Bot
First transportation and cargo are shut off, then.....
Good thing that the guidance system on larger missiles that can say hello to Putin do not rely on GPS. Yet Putin should not fear a rain of missiles - just a sharp, hollow pointed umbrella, a cup of tea or a North Korean girl slapping his face.
Let's stick Tim Dunce on the plane wing (any side will do) armed with binoculars so he can spot the airport and hand-signal to the Finnair pilots to guide them in. Tim Dunce freezes. Plane lands safely. We ALL win.
He’ll just say to use Delta pilots. They’re the best in the world and can land in any conditions.
oh Look. Another United employee that is afraid to use their real name.
Russians living up to their thug status. Glorious nation of rushaaa can jam signal to western imperialist aircraft.
The West really needs to get much more proactive with combating Russian aggression, as things stand we're practically inviting Putin to escalate.
"everything is fair in love and war" ... until it isn't.
A little surprising that Estonia didn't come up with other navigation systems earlier.
There will be a growing rift between the east and the west in the coming years. Aviation is ALWAYS symptomatic of what goes on in the rest of the world