Foreign airlines flying into Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) want air traffic controllers to communicate solely in English so that all pilots share common situational awareness of the airport environment. At present, ATC at the airport uses English when communicating with foreign airline pilots but Mandarin with pilots from Chinese airlines.

Pilots from three Southeast Asia airlines who spoke with AIN on condition of anonymity stressed the importance that all pilots and controllers speak a common language, particularly when an aircraft encounters problems. The airlines and the pilots declined to be identified for fear of repercussions from Chinese authorities.

Pilots said they also become confused at times when different controllers change the runways on which they clear airplanes to land. BCIA has three parallel runways; two extend 12,500 feet and one 11,302 feet.

Li Mao, an official with the Civil Aviation Administration of China in Beijing, said ATC’s practice of using English to communicate with foreign airline pilots and Mandarin for Chinese airline pilots has been a long-standing one. He declined further comment.