What caused the Widerøe flight to abort its landing in Vardø, Norway?

The flight aborted landing in Vardø, Norway, in September 2025 due to GPS signal jamming, suspected to be caused by Russian military exercises.

How widespread is GPS interference, and who is affected by it?

GPS interference is globally widespread, affecting military operations, aviation, transportation, banking, and even gamers using augmented reality.

What steps are being taken to address GPS vulnerabilities?

The U.S. is modernizing GPS with better encryption and signals, while companies are developing alternative navigation systems to enhance resilience.

Home / Technology / GPS Jammed: Norway Flight Aborts Landing Amid Russian Wargames

GPS Jammed: Norway Flight Aborts Landing Amid Russian Wargames

30 Dec

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Summary

A Widerøe flight aborted landing in Norway due to GPS jamming.
Russian military exercises, Zapad-2025, are suspected of causing interference.
Global GPS vulnerability impacts militaries, drivers, and gamers alike.

GPS Jammed: Norway Flight Aborts Landing Amid Russian Wargames

In September 2025, a Widerøe flight experienced a near-miss landing in Vardø, Norway, due to severe GPS interference. This disruption, occurring during Russia's Zapad-2025 wargames, highlighted the growing vulnerability of global positioning systems. Such GPS jamming incidents have become near-constant in Norway's Finnmark region, escalating since the invasion of Ukraine.

The implications of GPS disruption extend far beyond aviation, affecting essential services like electricity grids, cell networks, and banking. Even recreational activities like augmented reality gaming are impacted. In response, U.S. institutions are investing heavily in modernizing GPS with better encryption and new signals, alongside exploring complementary technologies.

Efforts to combat GPS jamming and spoofing are underway globally, with companies developing alternative systems. These include satellites in low-Earth orbit and ground-based transmitters. Despite these advancements, experts caution that continued vigilance and innovation are crucial to protect against future disruptions.