Concerns about 5G interference with radio altimeters appear to have subsided. A July 1 deadline for carriers to boost power for 5G antennas near airports appears to have failed to cause the widespread disruptions and cancellations some had predicted. When lightreading.com asked for comment about the deadline, only Delta Air Lines responded. “We expect the impact on operations to be minimal,” the airline said in an email. At the FAA’s request, carriers have agreed to cut power to 5G transmitters near airports until July 1 to allow time for 5G upgrades and replacements.
The cancellation of the event comes just weeks after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg raised concerns that 5G poses a “real risk of delays or cancellations.” While most airlines have completed retrofitting their fleets for 5G, Delta still needs to upgrade about 20 percent of its fleet. The summer deadline helps minimize the impact, as it only becomes an issue during low-visibility landings. Delta Air Lines said it will schedule non-compliant aircraft to clear-sky destinations whenever possible to avoid delays and cancellations.
