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May 06, 2024 (newstodate): The Estonian aviation authority is considering various options for securing safe landings at Tartu Airport despite Russian GPS jamming.
   In April 2023, Estonia went live with its first remote ATC tower system.
   Following a test period with dual manned/remote-control at the Estonian Tartu Airport, the new system was granted certification by ETA, the Estonian Transport Administration, on April 19, 2023.
   The provision of air traffic services to regional airfields from the remote tower center in Tallinn forms part of the digitalization of the Estonian aviation industry.
   -Air traffic at Tartu is controlled by air traffic advisory service with surveillance coverage. This means that we provide pilots with flight information, but we do not provide air traffic controlling service in Tartu. It’s a direction that has become more and more common in the world in regard to the airfields with lower traffic, says Lotte-Triin Narusk, EAMS Communication Manager.
   -In addition to GPS, Tartu Airport has a precision landing system ILS for landing in one direction, which is based on information emanating from the equipment on the ground at the airport. Finnair flight procedures require using GPS or other conventional navigation aids to reach from controlled airspace to ILS. Last week the GPS signal was jammed and the navigation was not possible. So, Finnair decided to suspend its flights to Tartu.   
   -At present, we are working on solutions in Tartu to provide additional support for flights at altitudes lower than 3 km without GPS.  
   -Estonian Air Navigation Services and Finnair will be looking into alternative solutions to the use of GPS so that flights can resume safely, says Ms. Narusk. Only Finnair flights have been temporarily suspended at Tartu Airport and the airport itself is open for general aviation, training, medical and other flights.
    The interference of GPS signals does not disrupt or affect the operations of Tallinn Airport, as it operates within controlled airspace with conventional navigation aids in addition to GPS possibilities. Air traffic at an altitude of 3 km and above is also in controlled airspace and is additionally supported by DME-DMEs, which EANS implemented as an alternative navigation solution in March.