Operators Conducting Flights Over South China Sea Cautioned

Australian flag carrier Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service (Qantas) has warned its pilots of radio interference and GPS jamming emanating from Chinese military vessels afloat on the South China Sea.

The Aussie air-carrier set forth that a number of its aircraft transitioning the vast body of water framed by China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, and the Philippines have experienced interference on VHF channels "purporting to represent the Chinese military.” The reported interference, as of yet, has occasioned no safety issues. Pilots were instructed, however, to report incidents of signal interference to the region’s air traffic control agencies.

In a statement released the week of 12 March 2023, Australian and International Pilots Association president and Qantas captain Tony Lucas disclosed that interference had been detected. Captain Lucas remarked: "Our members are aware of recent reported communication and electronic interference. Qantas Group pilots are well trained and remain ready to manage these sorts of issues safely in accordance with defined procedures."

Earlier this month, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) issued a statement confirming the Chinese interference. Subject statement urged pilots to refrain from responding to the warships, contending: "IFALPA has been made aware of some airline and military aircraft being called over 121.50 or 123.45 by military warships in the Pacific region, notably South China Sea, Philippine Sea, and the East Indian Ocean."

The statement continued: "IFALPA is engaging with IATA and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) to ensure that all parties are aligned with our procedures and to prevent this from occurring in the future."

Tensions between China and Australia have been fraught in recent years. At a 13 March summit held at the U.S. Navy’s Naval Base San Diego, Australian leaders announced they would purchase as many as five U.S. nuclear-powered submarines and later build a new hybrid submarine model comprising an amalgam of U.S. and British technologies. The deal serves to modernize Australia’s naval fleet amidst growing concerns over China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region and the possibility of open war with Communist Shanghai.

FMI: www.qantas.com