Last week, two Finnair flights had to divert back to Helsinki after GPS interference prevented them from landing at the airport in south Estonia. The approach methods currently used at Tartu Airport are based on a GPS signal.

Finnair said it will suspend its flights to Tartu for one month, during which time the aim is to build approach methods at Tartu Airport that enable a safe and smooth operation of flights without a GPS signal. 

Finnair is the only airline operating international flights to Tartu. The route reopened at the end of March for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

The company said passengers with bookings will be notified.

"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," says Jari Paajanen, Finnair's Director of Operations. 

"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," Paajanen says. "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." 

GPS interference has increased since 2022, and Finnair pilots have reported interference, especially near Kaliningrad, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, the company said.

In the Baltic Sea Region, the interference has been blamed on Russia. Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) described this incident as a "hybrid attack" on Estonia by Russia.

On Monday evening, Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said he discussed the issue with his counterparts from Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden. "We'll address the issue with NATO allies & EU partners," he wrote on social media.

GPS interference in Estonian airspace by RF has affected civil aviation in our region.
In doing so Russia violates int'l regulations.
Discussed the situation with @Braze_Baiba @GLandsbergis @elinavaltonen @TobiasBillstrom
We'll address the issue with #NATO allies & #EU partners

— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) April 29, 2024

Typically, GPS interference does not affect flight routes or flight safety, as pilots are well aware of it and aircraft have alternative systems in place that are used when the GPS signal is interfered with. 

This article was updated to add comments from Margus Tsahkna.

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