British pilot scolded by Toronto air traffic control on approach to Pearson Airport

A tense radio exchange between a Toronto air traffic controller and a British Airways pilot has garnered widespread attention.

The video uploaded to the YouTube aviation channel VASAviation captures the heated moments before British Airways flight BAW9ZY, a routine nonstop service from London Heathrow to Pearson Airport, prepared to land earlier this month. 

"Speedbird 9ZY heavy, confirm we're cleared for the approach?" the pilot asks, using the airline's signature call sign "Speedbird," and the term "heavy," which denotes larger aircraft of 300,000 pounds or greater that have the potential to create wake turbulence, a risk for smaller planes flying nearby. 

Instead of confirming, the controller simply responds, "Go back to arrival, please, Speedbird. Arrival frequency. Go back to Arrival." 

The British Airways pilot, who is seemingly confused, then asks for the correct frequency, to which the controller sharply replies, "That's what happens when you don't listen to arrival. What can I do for you?" 

After more back-and-forth, the crew clarified that they were already established on the approach to Runway 6R, prompting the tower to finally clear them to land. 

Upon touching down, the British Airways pilot requests a phone number to discuss "something that was on the approach." Ground control then provides the shift manager's number, while another controller expresses irritation over the conversation. 

"Next time British should have a big conversation like that, maybe when he gets to the gate," the controller says, to which the airport's ground control responds, "I gave him a phone number and for some reason he wanted to continue on." 

The pilot, who was still on the frequency, heard the entire exchange. "Thanks, guys. Yeah, we are still on the frequency as well, taking a telephone number, so we were just discussing it on here, but thank you," the pilot says.

In a statement to blogTO, NAV Canada, the non-profit that owns and operates Canada's civil air navigation system, confirmed that it is aware of the video circulating online of the exchange. 

"While we can't discuss nor validate individual communications, NAV CANADA expects all of its controllers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and safety in every interaction," a spokesperson for the corporation said.

"Any reported or observed incidents are reviewed through our standard internal processes to ensure those standards are maintained."

While NAV Canada was not able to comment on the specifics of the situation, aviation enthusiasts have weighed in on the dispute, with many criticizing the controller's tone and praising the pilot's professionalism during the tense exchange. 

"I have so much respect for the BA crew, they conducted themselves with absolute class," one person wrote, while another said, "I can't believe that tower controller was playing Simon Says with the pilot of an aircraft on approach." 

Others raised safety concerns, noting that clear communication between air traffic control and pilots is critical, especially during the final approach. 

"Having an aircraft stooging around the sky close to the airport and not receiving any instructions from ATC sounds like a very dangerous situation," another user wrote. 

"Giant plane full of passengers: 'I'm about to land, is it safe there?' Toronto YYZ Tower: 'Not my problem, you should have remembered whether it was safe!' 'Can you give me the frequency to find out?' 'You should have remembered that too," one comment reads. 

"WTF is that guy even paid for?  Would be safer with the planes managing themselves at this point."