Incident Overview
On Sunday, September 1, 2025, a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen encountered difficulties with its GPS system while approaching Bulgaria. The incident has raised concerns about potential interference with the aircraft's navigation systems.
Flight Details and GPS Signal Quality
The flight, which was tracked by Flightradar24, showed good GPS signal quality along its entire route. The aircraft landed only nine minutes later than scheduled, contradicting some reports that claimed the plane was in a holding pattern for an hour. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft's transponder reported good GPS signal quality from takeoff to landing.
European Commission Response
The European Commission has received information from Bulgarian authorities suggesting that the incident may have been caused by suspected Russian interference. A spokesperson for the Commission stated that they are aware of the incident and are taking it seriously.
Statement from European Commission Spokesperson
Investigation and Implications
The incident is currently under investigation, and the European Commission is working to determine the cause of the GPS interference. The Commission has reiterated its commitment to defending against such actions and supporting Ukraine.
Flightradar24 Data
Flightradar24 data shows that the plane's GPS signal quality was not affected during the flight. The service noted that some media reports erroneously claimed that the aircraft was subjected to GPS jamming.
Background and Context
The incident occurred during President von der Leyen's official tour of member states bordering Russia and Belarus. The European Commission has accused Russia of deploying a GPS jammer against the plane, which was carrying one of the international alliance's highest-ranking officials.
Expert Insights
While no direct quotes from experts are available, the incident highlights the ongoing concerns about GPS interference and its potential impact on aviation safety.
Conclusion
The incident involving the European Commission President's plane has raised questions about the safety and security of air travel in the region. The European Commission is working to determine the cause of the GPS interference and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Additional Information
The plane was forced to use paper maps to land due to the suspected GPS jamming. The incident has been widely reported, and the European Commission is working to address the issue.
Related Developments
The suspected Russian interference with the plane's GPS system is being viewed as a serious incident, and the European Commission is taking steps to address the issue.
Final Update
The European Commission is continuing to investigate the incident and is working to prevent similar incidents in the future.