The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has highlighted two current major threats to safe commercial aviation – the proliferation of combat zones and the geographically overlapping but more widespread jamming and spoofing of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). It did so in its 2025 global aviation safety press release.

Conflict zones forced aircraft rerouting and made airline operations more complex, it pointed out. When wars erupted across or near flight corridors, such as the current Persian Gulf conflict, it caused significant disruptions. The safe operation of commercial aircraft under these circumstances required strong coordination between civil and military authorities.

If the risk posed to civil aviation by the conflict could not be mitigated, countries should close or restrict their airspace. This should be done in a way that was timely, coordinated, transparent and not politicised – the focus should be on aircraft and passenger safety and security. The same should apply when airspace was reopened.

“Civil aircraft must never be placed at risk from military activity – deliberately or accidently,” asserted IATA director-general Willie Walsh. “When tensions rise, governments must share timely risk information, ensure effective civil-military coordination, restrict airspace where needed, and provide airlines with sufficient information for their own risk assessments. Whether closing or reopening airspace, safety depends on transparency, facts and coordination.”

Regarding GNSS interference, this has increased significantly. The IATA Incident Data eXchange has recorded a 67% increase in GNSS jamming incidents in 2025, compared with 2023. GNSS spoofing incidents rocketed by 193%. (Spoofing involved the deliberate transmission of false GNSS signals, resulting in aircraft, ships, and others, miscalculating their positions.)

“GNSS interference events are deeply concerning,” stressed Walsh. “Airlines rely on GNSS for safe and efficient flight operations. While system redundancies support safe operations in the face of these deliberate acts, immediate steps by governments and air navigation service providers are needed to improve situational awareness and enhance mitigation tools for pilots. Ultimately, the practice of GNSS interference must be stopped. Anything less is both unacceptable and irresponsible.”