Airlines recently expressed fear over possible disruption in plane flights because of 5G technology, asking the Federal Aviation Administration for immediate intervention that's badly needed at present.
BBC News reported that air companies are afraid that "C-band 5G signals" will interrupt the navigation systems of planes, specifically those used during bad weather conditions.
They said that the beginning of 5G mobile phone services offered by Verizon and AT&T, planned for Wednesday, would lead to a totally avoidable economic disaster. The caution was issued in a letter that was sent to the authorities of United States aviation.
The news site also reported that the chief executives of companies including Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines were joined by other firms in saying that immediate intervention is needed to avoid substantial operational disruption to shippers, air passengers, supply chain, and delivery of medical supplies needed which include distribution of vaccines.
Urgent Concerns Outlined in a Letter
The letter outlining urgent concerns was sent to Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary, and the head of the FAA, as well as the Federal Communications Commission chair, and the National Economic Council.
The news outlet understands that negotiations are ongoing at the highest levels of the US administration about what has been considered a "very fluid situation."
In the letter, airlines said they want 5G signals to be barred from "the approximate two miles of airport runways" at affected airports as defined on January 19, 2022, by the FAA, Business Insider said in a related report.
They elaborated that this will enable 5G to be deployed while preventing hazardous effects on the aviation industry, traveling public, distribution of vaccine, supply chain, their workforce, as well as the broader economy.
FAA Asked to Identify Base Stations Nearest the Key Airport Runways
Also in the letter, airline companies said, they further appeal to the FAA to identify right away those "base stations closest to the key airport runways" that should be addressed to guarantee safety and prevent any disruption.
Such concerns were recently emphasized by the two big plane manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, in an infrequent joint warning.
The airline firms also said, manufacturers of airplanes have informed them that there are big swathes of the operating fleet that may have to be grounded indefinitely.
On top of the chaos caused domestically, the absence of useable wide-body aircraft could possibly lead to tens of thousands of Americans being stranded overseas.
Deployment of 5G C-Band in Airports
In a recent update, the FAA which supervises aviation safety throughout the US said, it had cleared an approximated 45 percent of the US commercial fleet to carry out low-visibility landings at many of the airports where there will be the deployment of 5G C-band.
The FAA also said it had approved two radio altimeter models installed in a wide range of Airbus and Boeing planes.
According to a similar PCWA report, the regulator added that even with the said new approvals, flights at certain airports may still be affected. This continues to work with manufacturers to understand the manner radar altimeter data is used on other flight control systems.
There is a need then, for passengers to check with their airlines if the weather forecast is done at a destination where 5G interference is plausible.
Report about the airlines' fear over 5G technology is shown on PBS NewsHour's YouTube video below:
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