Ursula von der Leyen's plane faces GPS jamming during Bulgarian arrival

In early September 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, experienced a severe incident during her flight into Bulgaria. As her plane approached Plovdiv Airport, it encountered significant GPS jamming, which left pilots with no choice but to depend on backup navigation methods, including traditional paper maps. This disruption coincided with a heightened awareness of GPS jamming and spoofing incidents in Europe. The quick loss of GPS signals raised immediate concerns about the safety and reliability of air travel in the region, especially given the potential implications for national security and airspace integrity. Bulgarian officials suggested that the incident could be tied to a suspected Russian operation, although Moscow refuted these allegations. Despite the seriousness of the situation, GPS jamming and spoofing are increasingly common, particularly in conflict regions like Eastern Europe and around the Black Sea. While these tactics have been a concern primarily in military contexts, the interference with commercial flights raises serious questions about the safety of civilian air traffic in fragile geopolitical circumstances. Aviation analysts have noted that these tactics are not only prevalent but are also likely to be used strategically to induce confusion and fear during times of heightened tensions. According to experts, GPS jamming involves broadcasting stronger radio signals on the same frequencies used by satellites. This overwhelming signal effectively blocks legitimate navigation information, rendering the GPS receivers useless. The nature of these jamming devices can range considerably, from relatively inexpensive models that only work over short distances to sophisticated military-grade units that can affect signals over several kilometers. Following the incident, many experts opined that the source of interference was likely located in close proximity to the airport, further heightening suspicions of deliberate targeting. As the situation unfolded, the European Commission directly implicated Russia and announced sanctions targeting several companies associated with GPS signal disruptions. This response underscores the growing recognition of the importance of secure and reliable navigation systems in the face of emerging technological threats. Aviation safety advocates are now raising alarms about the implications of these tactics not only for airline operations but also for passenger safety, as these incidents could lead to more significant navigational errors and potential accidents in the future. The need for more robust systems to protect against such disruptions is becoming increasingly urgent in global aviation discussions.