Mumbai NOTAM Alert: GPS Interference Warning Sparks Aviation Security Concerns

India has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) warning of possible GPS signal interference along major air routes near Mumbai, prompting heightened scrutiny across the aviation sector. The NOTAM, flagged by geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon on November 13, remains in force from November 13 to 17 and urges airlines to stay alert for potential navigation disruptions.

The advisory arrives at a sensitive time for Indian aviation, following multiple reports of GPS spoofing incidents and a major system failure in Delhi earlier this month.

DGCA Tightens Reporting Amid Surge in Navigation Disruptions

On November 11, the DGCA directed airlines, pilots and air traffic controllers to report GPS spoofing or interference incidents within 10 minutes. The move came days after a 15-hour outage of the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which resulted in more than 800 delayed flights and nearly 100 cancellations.

Aviation officials noted that the growing frequency of navigation-related disturbances — especially around the national capital — has raised operational concerns, even though the causes have not been officially confirmed.

Conspiracy Angle Emerges: Experts Point to Potential Hijack Vulnerability

While authorities have not linked the Mumbai NOTAM to any hostile activity, some aviation analysts and former security officials have privately expressed concerns that repeated GPS interference could, in theory, create windows of vulnerability.

These observers say that sustained loss of satellite navigation — if orchestrated and timed with precision — can complicate cockpit decision-making during critical phases of flight, potentially increasing susceptibility to hijack attempts or other security breaches.

However, these speculations remain unverified, with officials cautioning that there is no evidence so far to indicate an active hijack plot. They emphasise that GPS disruptions may stem from benign technical anomalies, atmospheric conditions or interference originating outside India’s borders.

A senior aviation security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said,
“These signals don’t always indicate an attack. But when you see clusters of navigation disturbances, experts naturally examine all possible scenarios, including high-risk ones.”

Mumbai Airspace Under Enhanced Vigilance

Following the NOTAM, airlines operating in and out of Mumbai have strengthened monitoring protocols and briefed pilots on alternate navigation procedures. GPS interference, if sustained, can force aircraft to rely more heavily on ground-based systems, which may increase congestion and delays during peak hours.

Authorities have broadened surveillance across the western and central air corridors, though no official statement has been issued regarding the origin of the suspected interference.

Aviation Sector on Edge as Holiday Traffic Approaches

With the busy travel season nearing, the aviation ecosystem is bracing for potential operational stress. Analysts say the combination of technical failures, unexplained interference events and heightened geopolitical tensions has made navigation security a priority across Indian civil aviation.

For now, the NOTAM remains a precautionary measure. But the unease within parts of the aviation community reflects a wider concern — that unexplained disruptions in satellite guidance, even if temporary, may expose systemic vulnerabilities that need closer investigation.