BA, Jet2 and easyJet planes lost their satnav after Putin jammed flights
GPS is needed for systems that trigger warnings to pilots if they are on course for a collision
3 min read
In the last year, British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet flights have reported manipulation to GPS systems – many near Russia's border with the rest of eastern Europe (Photo: Andrea Comi/Getty)
British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet planes flying in and out of the UK are among thousands of commercial flights to have experienced suspected Russian “spoofing” of onboard GPS systems in the last year.
Between 28 May last year and 28 May this year, more than 1,500 British Airways flights, 57 Jet2 flights and 46 easyJet flights were affected, according to data provided by SkAI Data Services.
It is believed Ryanair flights also had their GPS signals spoofed, a type of GPS interference where ground-based transmitters feed fake signals to an aircraft’s navigation systems, tricking it into displaying the wrong location or time.
The majority of incidents occurred in eastern Europe, near the Russian border, where the Kremlin is accused of basing permanent GPS jammers.
Caption: (FILES) SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on as he speaks during his visit at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16, 2023. SpaceX, the rocket and satellite company led by billionaire Elon Musk, aims to raise approximately $75 billion in a record initial public offering, the company said in a regulatory filing on June 3, 2026. SpaceX said it will put up for sale 555,555,555 shares at an initial price of $135 each. Should the public offering proceed, Musk’s company would shatter the fundraising record previously held by oil giant Saudi Aramco, which raised $25.6 billion in 2019. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP via Getty Images) Photographer: ALAIN JOCARD Provider: AFP via Getty Images Source: AFP Copyright: AFP or licensors
As Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company prepares to debut on the stock exchange, the world’s richest man could pass another milestone with SpaceX’s eye-watering valuation.
How much is SpaceX worth?
As the company prepares to go public, it is offering
$75bn
which is the biggest capital raise in history. Musk, who owns around 42 per cent of the company, is already worth around $826bn (£614bn).
The company as a whole will be valued at
$1.75tn
placing SpaceX in the top ten US companies and tipping Musk into trillionaire status.
According to SpaceX’s filing, there will be 555.6 million shares on offer for $135 (£100) each when the company launches on 12 June.
Why is Musk’s company so valuable?
Caption: FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed miniature model of Elon Musk and a SpaceX logo are seen in this illustration created on January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo Photographer: Dado Ruvic Provider: REUTERS Source: REUTERS
Starlink satellites easily provide low-level, high speed internet.
Reusable rockets have made space missions much more affordable.
Promising plans for AI development and to put data centres on Mars.
We think the company has been significantly overvalued.
Analyst Nicholas Owens told Reuters that investors should avoid buying shares until after the initial public offering, when its value will be clearer.
A billboard organised by corporate accountability group Eko passes through Westminster urging the Prime Minister to stand up to Elon Musk and ban X and Gro (Photo: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters)
One independent investment research firm has valued SpaceX at just $780bn (£580bn), citing uncertainty and competition in the AI space.
news
How smart glasses could spark a wave of exam cheating
(Photo: Gareth Fuller: PA)
Pupils may find new ways to get around exam hall rules, fuelled by smartglasses and earpieces, the head of the exams regulator has warned.
How do the devices work?
Tiny earpieces can be pre-loaded with audio files to be fed to the pupil during exams, operated by buttons hidden in the shoes. Students can then skip between recordings using their toes.
Caption: File photo dated 07/03/12 of a general view of pupils sitting an exam. Anonymously marked exam papers are still the best way of guaranteeing consistent standards in Scottish schools, a group of experts says. The future of the exams system is in question following the decision to scrap the last two exam diets due to the pandemic. Issue date: Monday August 9, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SCOTLAND Exams. Photo credit should read: David Jones/PA Wire Photographer: David Jones Provider: PA Source: PA Woman examining her blood pressure with smart watch – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Smart watches that appear analogue are sold with special glasses, allowing the wearer only to see their content
Videos across social media
Head of Ofqual, the exam watchdog in England, Sir Ian Bauckham, said there are videos on social media showing students how to cheat without their phone.
The products are widely advertised and have step by step guides.
Even though many schools have banned phones, they are still the most common way of cheating in exams.
Along with smartwatches, phones accounted for 44 per cent of all incidents.
We shouldn’t underestimate challenge, says Ofqual
[Invigilators] move really fast, because technology is moving fast…There are smartwatches that we’re increasingly seeing on young people and they are fully internet connected and so present many of the same challenges as mobile phones.
sir ian bauckham, chief regulator at ofqual, in the times
An exam in progress at Pittville High School, Cheltenham (Photo: David Davies/PA Wire)
Man shot at University of Surrey campus
A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was shot with a crossbow at the University of Surrey.
The bitter Reform-Restore feud taking over Makerfield
Kitty Donaldson
Chief Political Commentator
Parties vying to win the Makerfield by-election are locked in a war of words over how much support Rupert Lowe’s party, Restore Britain, will claim.
New party claims surge in support
Although only one constituency-wide poll has Restore at 7 per cent, party insiders put it at 20 per cent, because of what they’re hearing on the doorsteps.
The party is expecting 1,000 people to campaign at an action day on 13 June.
Former Reform MP Rupert Lowe founded the Restore umbrella after his public falling out with Nigel Farage. Under the ultra-local brand Great Yarmouth First, they won nine county council seats in Norfolk last month.
Caption: BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – 2024/09/20: Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth Rupert Lowe speaks during the Reform UK’s annual conference at the NEC Centre. The party, which secured five seats in the general election, began its two-day conference after Farage announced he was giving up ownership of Reform UK’s shares. (Photo by Tejas Sandhu/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Photographer: SOPA Images Provider: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett Source: LightRocket Copyright: ? 2024 SOPA Images Caption: Great Yarmouth dispatch – Rupert Lowe addressing crowds
Lowe and his supporters rail against what he calls the “relentless creep of radical Islam”. Restore wants the mass deportation of “millions” of illegal migrants, to abolish the asylum system and remove benefits from every foreign national.
Nigel Farage is being criticised for his response to the Henry Nowak murder. (Picture: YouTube)
Reform still confident
Long term, no, we’re not worried by Restore. Everything he [Lowe] has done has ended in disaster.”
A senior party source said that though Restore Britain might “nibble in 3 percent”, this would not impact the “big score” Reform is expecting to win.
Political strategist Scarlett Maguire said Farage’s reaction to the Henry Nowak case shows his party is “spooked” by Restore, though.
What about the other parties?
A Labour source working on the Makerfield campaign for Andy Burnham said anecdotal evidence suggested Restore were enjoying somewhere between 10 and 13 per cent in the constituency, near Wigan.
Labour strategists hope for a split in the right-wing vote between Reform and Restore to usher in their candidate.
Opinion | “Nigel Farage is responsible for these riots,” writes Ian Dunt. “His behaviour over the last 24 hours demonstrates precisely what he is: he is a persistent threat to national security.” “He didn’t give a damn about the wishes of Henry Nowak’s family.” Read Ian’s full piece on @theipaper website.
A neck massage pillow, which exploded in a postal warehouse, is one of a rising number of attacks carried out by people paid to act as “proxies” for the Russian intelligence services, UK intelligence believes.
Russian sabotage on the rise
The fire in July 2024, which appeared at first to be an unremarkable incident, was in fact the result of a plot hatched by Russian military intelligence to send self-igniting devices around Europe, disguised as innocuous gadgets.
One caught fire shortly before being loaded onto a plane in Germany. Another burst into flames in a lorry driving through Poland.
Caption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30
File photo dated 20/11/15 of the Royal Mail’s South Midlands Mail Centre, Northampton. Royal Mail is to begin using smart stickers to digitally track its containers as part of a scheme to improve efficiency and give insights into how to cut carbon by optimising vehicle use. Issue date: Wednesday October 30, 2024. PA Photo. It will see Royal Mail attach digital tags from tech firm Wiliot – small sticker-like tags which house tiny computers and are automatically detected by nearby Bluetooth devices as they travel through the mail network – to its 850,000 containers which are used to transport parcels and letters around the country. See PA story TECHNOLOGY RoyalMail. Photo credit should read: Chris Radburn/PA Wire Photographer: Chris Radburn Provider: Chris Radburn/PA Wire Source: PA
Caption: DAVENTRY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Some of the millions of items pass though the Royal Mail Midlands ‘Super Hub’ and the automated centre sorts and sifts parcels and packages for Christmas delivery on December 16, 2024 in Daventry, England. The Royal Mail’s ‘super hub’ in Daventry spans 53 acres, and can process up to 90,000 items of mail per hour, with each parcel taking only seven minutes to be run through the system. On the site’s busiest day of the year, December 18, the organisation expects to deliver over 35 million letters and over nine million parcels to addresses around the UK. Today it was announced that the sale of the Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire, Daniel Kretinsky, was approved by the government. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Photographer: Christopher Furlong Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe Copyright: 2024 Getty Images
Trial in Lithuania
A group of men are currently in court over parcels sent to the UK, Germany and Poland.
Arson attacks
In March 2024, a British man set fire to Ukrainian operated warehouses in London and Spain.
Two Firefighters – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Caption: GREAT YARMOUTH, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: People stroll on the promenade of Gorleston On Sea on June 18, 2024 in Great Yarmouth, England. Situated on the east coast of England, Great Yarmouth has been a Conservative stronghold for the past 14 years, represented by Sir Brandon Lewis since the 2010 general election, who announced in March that he will not be running for re-election. The new Conservative candidate is James Clark, a British Army officer known for running against former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. However, recent polling for the July 4, 2024 election suggests a potential shift to Labour, represented by Keir Cozens. Reform UK is also gaining ground with Rupert Lowe, former chairman of Southampton Football Club, standing as their candidate. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Photographer: Christopher Furlong Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe
Spies at the seaside
Six Bulgarian spies were jailed last May for spying on political dissidents from Great Yarmouth.
Cash rewards without knowing who you work for
Some proxies have been operating online. The National Cyber Security Centre said earlier this year that “Russian-aligned hacktivist groups” had conducted cyber attacks which temporarily disabled the websites of several British local councils, as well as targeting governments and companies in Nato member states.
While some are politically motivated, others are merely seeking a quick payday.
Russian intelligence services are picking up what they can online
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum, said proxies were “disposable” and often amateurish, resulting in a “steady stream” of plots being disrupted before completion.
Experts emphasise that the most credible risks stem from small, covert operatives or lone actors, rather than large-scale, coordinated attacks (Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA)
Vicki Evans, the Senior National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said last year that some arrangements are “very loose” and many involve relatively small amounts of money, or no payment at all.
The United Nations has strongly condemned Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks on cities in Ukraine which killed at least 23 people. UN spokesperson, Stephane Dukarric, stated that these attacks are “prohibited under international humanitarian law”. Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv, were among those targeted. #airstrikes#russia#ukraine#unitednations
Raw chicken eggs in woman’s hands. – stock photo. (Photo: Getty)
Sainsbury’s is ditching brown eggs and switching to white for its own-brand cartons in a bid to hit net zero.
‘Aiming towards’ only white eggs
Sainsbury’s has confirmed it will be stopping the sale of brown eggs completely, after finding they carry a 12.7 per cent higher carbon footprint than white eggs. They aim to be net zero internally by 2035 and across supply chains by 2050.
White-laying hens are smaller, meaning they eat less, and have a longer lifespan.
Caption: Sainsbury’s Golden Yolk Free Range British Eggs, Taste the Difference x6 328g https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-free-range-white-golden-yolk-egg-taste-the-difference-x6
While brown eggs tend to be larger than white eggs, there are no inherent differences. It is also believed that hens that lay white eggs are less prone to feather pecking.
The digesters are being used to justify the expansion of intensive poultry farms (Photo: Mint Images RF/Getty)Caption: White chicken amidst feeders in production factory Photographer: Westend61 Provider: Getty Images/Westend61 Source: Westend61 Copyright: Westend61 / Veam
Shoppers turned against white eggs in the 1970s when rumours spread that they had been bleached.
White-laying hens now make up just 15 per cent of the national flock, meaning it will be difficult for Sainsbury’s to meet its aim.
Two charged after clashes at Henry Nowak protest
Two men have been charged following clashes at a protest against the death of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak.
Caption: Demonstrators push against a police line near Portswood Police Station, following a protest march in Southampton, southern England, on June 2, 2026, held in reaction to the Police’s handling of the detention of victim Henry Nowak, following the conviction of his murderer Vickrum Digwa. Body camera footage of dying student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed by British police after being stabbed by Sikh man Vickrum Digwa, and falsely accused of racially abusing his murderer sparked outrage Tuesday. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images) Photographer: JUSTIN TALLIS Provider: AFP via Getty Images Source: AFP Copyright: AFP or licensors
Charges after violent protest
Police were pelted with missiles during the disorder on Tuesday evening near the home of Mr Nowak’s killer, Vickrum Digwa, in Southampton. Matt Styler, 50, of Gosport, has been charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker. Daniel Frost, 44, of Southampton, has been charged with violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Caption: SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JUNE 2: Riot police stand guard as protesters gather near the location where Henry Nowak died during a demonstration over the Police’s handling of the incident, on June 2, 2026 in Southampton, England. Far-right and nationalist groups have actively organised demonstrations and vigils following revelations from the ongoing murder trial of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. The case involves the fatal stabbing of Nowak in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa. Court details revealed that Digwa falsely claimed to arriving officers that he was the victim of a racist attack, leading responding police to temporarily handcuff the fatally wounded teenager before discovering his injuries. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images) Photographer: Finnbarr Webster Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe
Digwa, 23, was jailed on Monday for a minimum of 21 years, after a jury convicted him of the murder of Mr Nowak.
Digwa stabbed the teenager five times using a 21cm blade he was allowed to carry as part of his Sikh faith.
He then lied to officers at the scene, claiming that he had been the victim of a racist attack.
Bodycam footage shows officers handcuffing and arresting Mr Nowak, who said he had been stabbed. He died at the scene.
Sir Keir Starmer is to meet the student’s family and has criticised Elon Musk for stirring division in the UK on social media.
Musk ‘interfering’ in UK, says Starmer
[He is] trying to whip up division – that is not who we are in Britain.
The Prime Minister condemned Elon Musk after the billionaire owner of X weighed in on the case, claiming in a pos that “official policy requires them to be racist against Whites”.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives to attend a state banquet with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Picture: Evan Vucci/Reuters)
Starmer has also said Nigel Farage’s call for “pure, cold rage” was “unforgiveable”.
Hampshire police’s response
A third of officers from one UK police force felt unsafe dealing with the public during lockdowns, according to new research. (Photo: David Cheskin/PA Wire)
The Chief Constable has apologised to Mr Nowak’s family.
One officer involved in the case has resigned, while three others remain.
Caption: Inglewood, CA – May 12, 2026 : The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee hold a media event at SoFi Stadium marking 30 days until the opening FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Photographer: Jason Armond Provider: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag Copyright: 2026 Los Angeles Times
sport
The seven players to watch at the 2026 World Cup
With kick-off just a few weeks away and Thomas Tuchel’s squad ready to go, here are the players you should look out for in North America this summer.
High scorers
All eyes in this country will be on Harry Kane, England’s top goalscorer and captain. After a stunning season for Bayern Munich, this is likely his last chance to lead England to glory.
Harry Kane’s England will go to the World Cup as one of four seeded teams (Photo: Getty)Caption: (FILES) Barcelona’s Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Spanish league football match between Athletic Club Bilbao and FC Barcelona at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on March 7, 2026. Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente was convinced on May 26, 2026 that the next World Cup “is the moment” for the teenage phenomenon Lamine Yamal, AFP reports. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP via Getty Images) Photographer: ANDER GILLENEA Provider: AFP via Getty Images Source: AFP Copyright: AFP or licensors
At the other end of the career path, Lamine Yamal for Spain is also one to watch. At just 18, the Barcelona star has already scored for his country and hopes to bring them to victory after their Euros win in 2024.
Top of their game
Caption: Vinicius Junior left winger of Real Madrid and Brazil celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 17, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Photographer: NurPhoto Provider: NurPhoto via Getty Images Source: NurPhoto Copyright: Jose Breton/NurPhoto
Vinícius Júnior
A veteran attacker returning to the World Cup after his last appearance in 2002.
Kylian Mbappe
The striker has scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup appearances for France.
Caption: LANDOVER, MD – MARCH 29: France forward Kylian Mbappe (10) smiles after a shot on goal late in the game during the France versus Colombia Road to ’26 international soccer friendly on March 29, 2026 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Photographer: Icon Sportswire Provider: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Source: Icon Sportswire Copyright: ?Icon Sportswire All Rights Reserved
Caption: OSLO, NORWAY – MARCH 31: Erling Haaland of Norway reacts during the international friendly match between Norway and Switzerland at Ullevaal Stadion on March 31, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) Photographer: Stuart Franklin Provider: Getty Images Source: Getty Images Europe Copyright: 2026 Getty Images
Erling Haaland
A top scorer for club sides, the striker will finally represent Norway.
England’s ones that got away
After representing England at U21 level, the ruthless attacker Jamal Musiala is now playing for Germany.
Jamal Musiala scored his second goal of Euro 2024 in Germany’s win over Hungary (Photo: Getty)Olise has been ‘the Bundesliga’s best player’ this season (Photo: Getty)
Michael Olise could have played for England, but the Crystal Palace right winger chose France instead.
Will the World Cup impact your exam results? Well, a study from the University of Bristol has shown this could genuinely be the case. The study revealed that during tournament years, the number of people who achieve a pass grade of a five reduces by 12% across the UK, reducing by 28% for those who are deemed “likely football fans”. #UK#football#news#worldcup
Security experts have warned that UK commercial flights are increasingly at risk of Russian signal-jamming and spoofing, which could prevent aircrafts transmitting locations while flying across Europe and Asia this summer, as Vladimir Putin’s grey-zone warfare continues to test Western resolve.
GPS location data is vital for monitoring an aircraft’s live flight path, with co-ordinates used alongside speed and elevation data in systems that are able to trigger a warning to pilots if they are on a collision course with a mountain or other obstacle, or if there is nearby air traffic.
Jamming and spoofing can not only hamper navigation but can cut off any linked software on an aircraft, including alerts and early warning systems about potential collisions.
Since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the region has become an area rife with reported GPS jamming and spoofing.
A snapshot of GPS spoofing recorded on 21 May this year close to the Russian border. Blue shows where a plane was when it was spoofed, and pink indicates where it was “spoofed” to (Photo: SkAI Data Services)
This week, a BA flight from New Delhi to Heathrow was spoofed while flying over the Black Sea. For a distance of around 900km, its onboard GPS indicated it was actually over land in Odessa, on the coast of Ukrainne.
A Ryanair flight from Riga in Latvia to East Midlands airport lost its onboard GPS for an hour while flying in the Baltic region.
Joji Waites, director of flight safety, policy and regulation at The British Airline Pilots’ Association, said commercial airlines were facing the “collateral effects” of GPS jamming. He described it as a “predominantly military activity” but urged against “over-reliance on any single technology”.
He said holidaymakers should rest assured that pilots were “highly trained, experienced professionals who follow rigorous operational procedures, and it is that professionalism that ensures this risk is effectively managed on every flight”.
Pilots are now receiving additional training for GPS-denied environments in which they are forced to rely on more traditional forms of navigation when signals are interrupted.
GPS signal interference primarily falls into two categories: jamming and spoofing (Photo: The i Paper)
Commercial aircraft are also equipped with back-up systems to identify an aircraft’s location and ensure safe and accurate navigation. But the rapid increase in interference is creating mounting operational and safety pressures.
Raphael Monstein, co-founder of aviation intelligence firm SkAI Data Services, said there had been a “remarkable increase” in GPS interference over conflict zones across the globe.
“The interference is widely assumed to be a defence against drones and GPS-guided missiles, and civilian users such as aviation and shipping are just casualties,” he added.
“Commercial air traffic remains safe, even in areas with unreliable GNSS [Global Navigation Satellite System]. However, it can cause system errors on aircraft and increase pilot workload, reducing safety margins and potentially impacting airspace capacity.”
A Government spokesperson said: “UK aviation is amongst the safest in the world – our pilots are trained to handle GPS interference, and all commercial aircraft have backup navigation systems, so passengers can be confident their flight is safe.
“We take hostile attempts to disrupt aviation seriously and are delivering £392 million to boost resilience of critical infrastructure, including £13 million for a GPS interference monitoring programme. We continue to work closely with the CAA, industry and international partners to combat interference.”
Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet were approached for comment.
