Three airports in Eastern Finland reintroducing radio navigation equipment amid GPS disruptions

Three airports in Eastern Finland are reintroducing older radio navigation equipment to assist aircraft landings in situations where satellite navigation may be disrupted, as reported by the companies managing these airports to Reuters. Joensuu and Savonlinna airports implemented the technology in September, while Lappeenranta airport plans to do the same as soon as possible.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in spring 2022, incidents of GPS disruptions in Finland have significantly increased, with Russia widely suspected to be the cause. The country has denied any interference with communication and satellite networks.

The Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) radio navigation system, developed in the 1960s, determines the slant range distance between an aircraft and a radio beacon. Yle reported in July that Joensuu airport was preparing to reintroduce this technology.