China's pirate radio stations threaten passenger jet safety: Xinhua

Law enforcement agencies have uncovered pirate radio stations operating in big cities and provinces using equipment that could disrupt communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, according to a state media report.

A lack of regulations controlling the sale and use of radio transmitters meant the devices were easily available on the market, unnamed legal experts told Xinhua.

The authorities said they had found high-powered radio transmitters in private hands in Beijing and Tianjin and in Hainan , Yunnan and Guangdong provinces.

Okay Airways, based in Beijing, complained to radio administration officials in Tianjin in March that its radio frequency was severely disrupted by a pirate radio station, Xinhua said.

Jiang Tao, a pilot with the airline, was quoted as saying that the inflight navigation system and communications with control towers were often disturbed by pirate radio broadcasts.

If the radio frequency was occupied when aircraft had to take off or land, the pilots could lose contact with the control tower, threatening safety, the report said, quoting unnamed industry experts.