Finnair Halts Flights to Tartu Amid GPS Challenges

Finnair has announced a temporary suspension of its daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, from April 29 through May 31. This decision aims to allow Tartu Airport to implement an alternative approach system that operates without GPS.

The GPS-dependent approach methods currently utilized at Tartu Airport have been problematic due to frequent GPS interference in the region. This interference has significantly impacted flight operations, recently forcing two Finnair flights to return to Helsinki.

In response, Finnair plans to introduce new navigation solutions at Tartu Airport that ensure the continuity of flights regardless of GPS availability. This initiative underscores a proactive approach to overcoming the navigational challenges posed by GPS interference.

During the suspension, affected customers will be contacted directly by Finnair with information about their travel options. The airline, the sole international operator to Tartu, has expressed apologies for the inconvenience and emphasized its commitment to passenger safety as its utmost priority.

Jari Paajanen, Finnair's Director of Operations, highlighted the airline's readiness to handle GPS disruptions, noting that their aircraft are equipped with alternate navigation systems. He also pointed out the rarity of airports like Tartu that solely rely on GPS, which necessitates the temporary suspension to enhance safety measures.

This move by Finnair is part of a broader industry trend addressing the increasing occurrences of GPS interference, which has been particularly noted near regions like Kaliningrad and the Eastern Mediterranean since 2022. Despite these challenges, Finnair reassures that these interferences generally do not compromise flight routes or safety due to the robust alternative systems onboard.