Qantas, the Australian airline, has warned its pilots of “obstacles of the radio signal” when flying over island states of the Asian-Pacific region due to interference from Chinese sea ships. The interference was mainly seen in the western part of the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. Qantas advised their crew to report to air traffic control about the strange radio messages while following the given route regardless of the interference.
The International Non-Profit Organization of National Associations of Pilots (IFalPA) is aware of the situation, and flights that the Chinese military vessels are associated with even receive recommendations to leave the aircraft of the region. The organization is concerned that interference with Radlt and GNSS equipment is also possible. Radlt measures altitude and gives pilots the exact distance to the ground, and GNSS is a global navigation satellite system.
Interference with aircraft equipment can disorient pilots and even lead to crashes, especially when other navigation methods are not available. The situation is serious and risky for people who must fly in the airspace near warships. It is uncertain whether the Chinese military is involved, and an investigation is ongoing.
Recently, China has established strict control over the waters of the Asia-Pacific region, and warnings to foreign sea vessels to stay away from their ships are common. David Panuelo, the president of the Federated States of Micronesia, recently accused China of “unrestrained bribery espionage and other tactics aimed at obtaining control over national underwater cables telecommunication infrastructure of the Pacific region.”
Pilots encountering interference should notify dispatchers and relevant air traffic controls and compile all necessary reports. The situation raises concern and increases alertness when it comes to relations with China.