WILLEMSTAD – Satellite navigation disruptions, including interference with GPS signals, are occurring with increasing frequency in the airspace managed by Curaçao and Venezuela. That is the conclusion of a Safety Issue Alert issued by the Regional Aviation Safety Group–Pan America (RASG-PA), operating under the umbrella of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The warning comes amid rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela. According to reporting by The New York Times, both countries are deliberately disrupting GPS signals in the Caribbean region as part of military countermeasures.
ICAO reports that airlines and air traffic control centers across several Flight Information Regions (FIRs), including the Curaçao FIR, have logged a growing number of incidents in which GPS signals are temporarily lost. Pilots have reported alerts indicating loss of position data or degraded navigation capability. In some cases, ADS-B or transponder signals are also affected, making aircraft temporarily less visible to air traffic controllers.
These disruptions typically last from a few seconds to several minutes and occur mainly at cruising altitude, both during en-route flights and in the vicinity of airports. While no accidents have been reported, ICAO describes the situation as an “emerging safety risk” due to the frequency of reports and their wide geographic distribution.
Electronic warfare effects
ICAO does not identify a specific cause in its alert, but The New York Times places the issue within a broader geopolitical context. The newspaper reports that both the United States and Venezuela are intentionally interfering with GPS signals in parts of the Caribbean to protect military assets from drones and precision-guided weapons. These electronic warfare measures are aimed at military threats but can inadvertently affect civilian aviation.
Data cited by the newspaper suggest that since September, a significant share of flights in the region has experienced some form of GPS disruption.
Because satellite signals do not respect national borders, interference originating near military installations or naval vessels can spill over into busy civilian air corridors.
Heightened vigilance urged
ICAO is urging airlines, pilots, and air navigation service providers to remain vigilant. Carriers are advised to review current notices before departure and ensure that alternative navigation aids, such as ILS and VOR/DME, are available and functional.
Pilots are asked to report any navigation anomalies immediately and to submit detailed post-flight reports to help authorities identify patterns and assess risks more accurately.
For Curaçao, the alert underscores that recent concerns about near-incidents in the airspace are part of a broader regional picture. In addition to increased military traffic, electronic interference with navigation systems is becoming an important factor in maintaining the safety of civilian air operations in the southern Caribbean.