GPS Failure Grounds Over 40 Embraer E2 Jets

A GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets caused significant disruptions to Azul Linhas Aéreas' flight schedules, affecting over 40 aircraft. The issue occurred when the planes were powered up on the ground and prevented them from taking off. This resulted in cancellations, delays, and long queues at high-traffic airports.

Azul reported that a global instability in the GPS system was causing the problem, which also affected other carriers flying the same type of aircraft. The airline took operational measures to mitigate the impact, including adjusting its network and schedules, and providing assistance to passengers.

Embraer and Honeywell, the manufacturer and avionics supplier respectively, are investigating jointly to determine the cause of the failure. A crisis room was set up to address the issue and implement corrective actions.

The E2 family uses the Honeywell Primus Epic 2 avionics suite, which relies on GNSS for navigation. When GPS fails, the aircraft's dispatch is halted due to performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures that depend on GNSS.