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TZUTC: 0200                  
For months, the GPS navigation system of aircraft above and around the Baltic
Sea has been disrupted by equipment in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
That never led to major problems, until now: airline Finnair will no longer
fly to the second largest city in Estonia for a month because a safe landing
is no longer possible.
 
"To fly to Tartu airport (Estonia's second largest city, ed.), a GPS signal is
used," Finnair announced. "The GPS interference, which is quite common in the
area, affects the usability of this method, hindering the approach and
landing. Last week, two Finnair flights had to return to Helsinki after GPS
interference prevented the approach to Tartu." Until the end of May, Finnair
will therefore no longer fly to Tartu. In the meantime, another approach
method is being sought that does not require a GPS signal.
 
The disruption of the GPS signal has been a problem in the border region
between Europe and Russia for some time, but the problems have increased
significantly since December. The disruption is caused by a "jammer". This is
electronic equipment that interferes with the radio signals of navigation
systems that work with satellites, such as GPS. According to various
observations, the source of this disruption is located in Russian territory.
Electronic warfare is part of Russia's flexing of its muscles against Europe.

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