Four Chinese flights landing at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport early last month experienced radio interference in the cockpit from illegal “black radio” stations broadcasting nearby. The flights were forced to land despite their unstable communication systems, which were affected by electromagnetic interference.
Black radio stations broadcast advertisements for illegal drugs and these broadcasts can reach about 300km – which is in the range for most aircraft take-offs and landings. Most transmitters are hidden on roof-tops of buildings nearby. This illegal business is popular because of its low-cost and quick profit earnings.
“Authorities believe black radio stations – which often broadcast using the same radio frequency as flight communications – pose a serious threat to civil aviation communication and national security,” Xinhua News Agency reported.
Law enforcement officials successfully tracked down the location of the black radio station and confiscated the radio transmitter, according to Xinhua. After the transmitter was confiscated, the radio interference disappeared and flight operations returned to normal.
