Pilots again warned of GPS jamming in Norway’s border region to Russia
Norwegian Aviation Authority warns pilots in the airspace over Eastern Finnmark of irregular conditions for satellite navigation.
The warning, published as a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) came at 11.35 am on Wednesday January 9th.
It is not clear which aircraft first noticed the irregularities of the GPS signals, but both SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe have aircraft landing and taking off from Kirkenes airport between 11 am and noon.
SAS and Norwegian with flights directly from Oslo to Kirkenes and Widerøe with a flight from Tromsø and another from the smaller airports at the coast of Eastern Finnmark.
Also on Wednesday morning, one of Norway’s new search- and rescue helicopters was test-flying in the airspace over Kirkenes and Eastern Finnmark.
The warning is said to last until January 31st.
Last November, a similar warning reported by the Barents Observer was issued. First over Norwegian airspace in the border areas to Russia’s Kola Peninsula and shortly after also over the Finnish airspace from Rovaniemi near the Arctic Circle and north to Ivalo airport.
Finnish authorities accused Russia for military jamming of the GPS signals at the time.
When experiencing total signal loss, both military and civilian aircraft files reports to aviation authorities. Such NOTAM warnings are obligatory for all pilots to read, including passenger planes, military aircraft or private small planes.
Read more: GPS jamming jeopardizes public safety in Norway’s northernmost region.
