The chief executives of the US’ largest airlines warned of a “catastrophic disruption” to travel and shipping operations if telecommunication firms roll out their 5G technology as planned today without limiting the technology near US airports.
Verizon and AT&T have twice delayed the launch of their new C-Band 5G service due to warnings from airlines and aircraft manufacturers concerned that the new system might interfere with the devices that aircraft use to measure altitude.
“We are writing with urgency to request that 5G be implemented everywhere in the country except within the approximate 2 miles [3.22km] of airport runways as defined by the FAA on Jan. 19, 2022,” the CEOs said in a letter on Monday.
The executives, writing to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and other US government officials, highlighted the risk of an “economic calamity” should Verizon and AT&T proceed with deploying the technology before the needed upgrades and changes have been made to aviation equipment.
“To be blunt, the nation’s commerce will grind to a halt,” they said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Sunday said that it had approved some transponders to be safely operated within areas where 5G is to be deployed, clearing “as many as 48 of the 88 airports most directly affected by 5G C-Band interference.”
However, the airlines fear that remaining limitations at those airports, as well as a large amount of equipment still uncertified, could trigger a crisis, including the grounding of thousands of flights.
In addition to the transport secretary, their letter was addressed to the head of the FAA, the head of the US Federal Communications Commission and the White House’s National Economic Council.
US airlines have also protested against the potential costs incurred.
The executives called on authorities to “take whatever action necessary to ensure that 5G is deployed except when towers are too close to airport runways until the FAA can determine how that can be safely accomplished without catastrophic disruption.”
The letter was signed by CEOs of major airlines, including American, United, Delta and Southwest, as well as the leaders of shipping giants FedEx and UPS.
“Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies,” they wrote.
“In addition to the chaos caused domestically,” the letter continues, the lack of certified planes “could potentially strand tens of thousands of Americans overseas.”
The FAA released a brief statement Monday apparently seeking to allay concerns about the 5G rollout’s impact on aviation, but it stopped short of declaring any concrete next steps in the process.
“With safety as its core mission, the FAA will continue to ensure that the traveling public is safe as wireless companies deploy 5G,” the agency said.
“The FAA continues to work with the aviation industry and wireless companies to try to limit 5G-related flight delays and cancelations.”
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