Airlines and industry groups have expressed concerns to the federal government about the challenges some carriers are facing in meeting the July 1 deadline for the 5G switchover. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has issued a warning to travelers, stating that they may encounter delays or cancellations this summer. Buttigieg emphasized that this is the most significant foreseeable problem affecting performance during the summer. The impact of the issue will depend on weather conditions as well.
Airlines are required to retrofit their equipment by the deadline to avoid interference from 5G wireless signals. This is necessary because wireless companies in the US are planning to increase the power levels of their service. Without the equipment change, airlines will not receive clearance to land in certain weather conditions. While wireless companies disagree, air safety officials argue that 5G signals could disrupt the radio waves used to measure a plane’s altitude, which is crucial for landing in poor weather. The majority of domestic flights in the US use radar altimeters that will not be affected by 5G signals. This information is according to the Wall Street Journal.
To provide airlines with more time, AT&T and Verizon have postponed their changes near certain airports. Buttigieg has urged the airlines to expedite the process, but the industry states that supply chain issues have hindered the switchover. Airlines for America released a statement, indicating that carriers have repeatedly communicated these challenges to the government. International airlines have announced their intention to use only upgraded planes for flights to the US. While Southwest and United claim to be ready, other airlines estimate that they will need several more months, with JetBlue stating that they require until October. The International Air Transport Association estimates that this change will cost airlines nearly $638 million. (Read more airline industry stories.)
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