As the deadline for deploying 5G networks approaches, U.S. airlines are preparing for potential flight delays. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned that aircraft without modern radio altimeters to combat potential 5G C-band interference could face delays and cancellations starting July 1. .
“There is a real risk of delay or cancellation,” Buttigieg said, according to the Washington Journal. “This represents one of the biggest predictable problems, probably the biggest problems, that will affect his performance this summer.”
Aviation safety authorities have warned that certain 5G signals can confuse equipment that relies on radio waves to measure the distance between aircraft and the ground. These measurements are often used for landings in bad weather. However, wireless companies dispute this claim.
The issue began in 2020, when some international flights were canceled as airlines scrambled to prepare for expected restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration if wireless providers started broadcasting new signals to customers. It was especially urgent in the beginning. Ultimately, a last-minute agreement was reached between AT&T and Verizon.
What are the issues between 5G and airlines?
Two U.S. government agencies have clashed over the use of a frequency band previously used for satellite television. The FCC auctioned off the rights to use this spectrum for 5G technology to carriers, with Verizon and AT&T jointly acquiring the rights for $68 million. However, the FAA has expressed concern that 5G’s C-band spectrum could interfere with radio altimeters used on planes to measure altitude during final approach and landing.
Although these concerns had been expressed since 2015, they were not directly communicated to the FCC until later. After a series of delays and compromises, an agreement temporarily imposes 5G C-band restrictions on some 50 major airports and requires airlines to update radio altimeters on older aircraft by July 1, 2023. reached.
The warning comes just before AT&T, Verizon and other U.S. carriers will be allowed to boost the strength of their 5G signals starting July 1.
Buttigieg said more than 80% of the domestic aircraft in service at the airport have been refurbished, but a significant number of aircraft are still awaiting refurbishment, especially those operated by foreign airlines. .
What it means for travelers
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines have all refurbished their aircraft and no issues are expected. However, JetBlue and Delta confirmed that only some of their aircraft had been updated. Delta Air Lines reported that nearly 190 of its more than 900 aircraft still do not receive updated radio altimeters.
At the same time, some airlines have reported supply chain problems to the government, making it difficult to obtain equipment to refurbish aircraft.
To reduce the chance of delays, international airlines are said to use compliant aircraft whenever possible on international flights to the United States. For domestic flights, non-compliant aircraft are used whenever possible at airports that are less susceptible to adverse weather conditions.
“There is a real risk of delay or cancellation,” Buttigieg said, according to the Washington Journal. “This represents one of the biggest predictable problems, probably the biggest problems, that will affect his performance this summer.”
Aviation safety authorities have warned that certain 5G signals can confuse equipment that relies on radio waves to measure the distance between aircraft and the ground. These measurements are often used for landings in bad weather. However, wireless companies dispute this claim.
The issue began in 2020, when some international flights were canceled as airlines scrambled to prepare for expected restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration if wireless providers started broadcasting new signals to customers. It was especially urgent in the beginning. Ultimately, a last-minute agreement was reached between AT&T and Verizon.
What are the issues between 5G and airlines?
Two U.S. government agencies have clashed over the use of a frequency band previously used for satellite television. The FCC auctioned off the rights to use this spectrum for 5G technology to carriers, with Verizon and AT&T jointly acquiring the rights for $68 million. However, the FAA has expressed concern that 5G’s C-band spectrum could interfere with radio altimeters used on planes to measure altitude during final approach and landing.
Although these concerns had been expressed since 2015, they were not directly communicated to the FCC until later. After a series of delays and compromises, an agreement temporarily imposes 5G C-band restrictions on some 50 major airports and requires airlines to update radio altimeters on older aircraft by July 1, 2023. reached.
The warning comes just before AT&T, Verizon and other U.S. carriers will be allowed to boost the strength of their 5G signals starting July 1.
Expanding
Buttigieg said more than 80% of the domestic aircraft in service at the airport have been refurbished, but a significant number of aircraft are still awaiting refurbishment, especially those operated by foreign airlines. .
What it means for travelers
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines have all refurbished their aircraft and no issues are expected. However, JetBlue and Delta confirmed that only some of their aircraft had been updated. Delta Air Lines reported that nearly 190 of its more than 900 aircraft still do not receive updated radio altimeters.
At the same time, some airlines have reported supply chain problems to the government, making it difficult to obtain equipment to refurbish aircraft.
To reduce the chance of delays, international airlines are said to use compliant aircraft whenever possible on international flights to the United States. For domestic flights, non-compliant aircraft are used whenever possible at airports that are less susceptible to adverse weather conditions.
