GPS Instability Grounds Embraer E2 Jets in Brazil

On a Tuesday in late September, Azul Linhas Aéreas lost GPS signal on its Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets during ground power-up. The failure prevented the aircraft from meeting Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) requirements, forcing most of Azul’s E2 fleet into Aircraft on Ground (AOG) status and causing cancellations and delays at Brazil’s major airports.

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The E2 family uses a dual-GNSS feed to the Honeywell Primus Epic 2 flight-management system. GNSS supplies the position, heading and time needed for RNAV and RNP procedures. Without GNSS, the aircraft must rely on inertial and radio-aid navigation, which often lacks the accuracy required for departure, arrival and approach segments, halting dispatch until the system is reset or an alternate method is approved.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• Azul’s E195-E2 fleet is estimated at 43–47 aircraft; at 17:30 only two remained airborne.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• Worldwide, over 200 E2 jets serve 24 airlines, with a backlog of about 500 units pending delivery.

Japan Airlines renews Embraer support deal as it weighs E2 for regional fleet

• The affected avionics suite is the Honeywell Primus Epic 2.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• September 22 – Embraer announced notification of GPS-instability reports affecting the E2 family.

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• Tuesday afternoon – GPS reception failure began as aircraft were powered up.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• 17:30 – Tracking showed only two Azul E195-E2s still in flight.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• Following the incident – Embraer, Honeywell and Azul opened a joint investigation.

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• Embraer said the issue “does not impact flight safety” and that the fleet can operate under GPS instability using existing procedures.

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• Honeywell Aerospace confirmed awareness of a global GPS-signal-reception issue affecting its avionics and that teams were “actively assessing the matter.”

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• Azul Linhas Aéreas reported operational measures, including route adjustments, schedule changes and passenger advisories, citing compliance with ANAC Resolution 400.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

Cancellations hit routes to Curitiba and Belo Horizonte from Congonhas, while Brasília, Confins and Viracopó saw queues and suspended flights. A prior power outage at a Viracopó substation had already forced dozens of cancellations, compounding the GPS-related crisis. LATAM’s operations remained stable because its ordered E195-E2s are not yet in service, and GOL was unaffected as it does not operate the E2 family.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

Sources differ on the exact number of Azul E195-E2s grounded, citing 43–47 aircraft. The precise technical cause of the GPS instability remains unidentified; both Embraer and Honeywell say the investigation is ongoing, and no airworthiness directive or service bulletin had been issued at the time of reporting.

GPS failure on Embraer E2 jets disrupts operators' flight schedules

• “The global E2 fleet is equipped with navigation systems and procedures that allow the aircraft to operate even under conditions of GPS instability,” — Embraer, statement to the press

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