Hard To Find! A4A Says 5G Spectrum Can Interfere With Devices On Airplanes, But AT&T And Verizon Strictly Use It

Flight schedules can be disrupted by 5G spectra. (photo credit: pixabay)

JAKARTA - Major US airlines warned Wednesday, December 15 that plans by AT&T and Verizon Communications to use spectrum for 5G wireless services could seriously disrupt air travel and cost air passengers $1.6 billion a year by causing flight delays.

Trade group Airlines for America (A4A) said if new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives to address potential interference from wireless transmissions took effect in 2019, approximately 345,000 passenger flights, 32 million passengers, and 5,400 cargo flights will be affected. This effect will primarily be impact such as flight delays, diversions, or flight cancellations.

At Wednesday's hearing, December 15, senators urged airlines to work on finding a resolution to the problem.

As reported by Reuters, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the issue of 5G wireless "is the biggest and most damaging potential problem we face. We want nothing more than to find a solution."

Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Gary Kelly also said the FAA directive "will have a significant impact on our operations once deployed on January 5."

The wireless carrier is set to start using spectrum in just three weeks.

Last week, the FAA issued a new airworthiness directive warning that interference from the 5G wireless spectrum could result in flight diversion. Read more

The aviation industry and the FAA have raised significant concerns about the potential for 5G interference with sensitive aircraft electronics such as radio altimeters.

In November, AT&T and Verizon agreed to delay the commercial rollout of C-band wireless services until January 5 after the FAA raised concerns. They also adopted preventive measures for six months to limit the disturbance.

Aviation industry groups say they are not capable enough to address these air safety concerns.

CTIA, a wireless trade group, said "the aviation industry fears relying on completely discredited information and willful distortion of facts." He added that 5G operates safely and without causing harmful interference to flight operations in nearly 40 countries around the world.

A4A said the FAA directive would "materially disrupt airline operations" and added cargo operators estimated the directive "would cost US$400 million per year."

The group said the "annual impact cost for passengers is about $1.59 billion" from travel delays.

Wireless carriers showed no interest in further delaying spectrum and the industry paid more than 80 billion US dollars to acquire it. It is clear here that money interests dominate in the struggle between airlines and telecommunications.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, who did not immediately comment on the airline's analysis. Instead, she said she was very confident the problem could be solved and the spectrum used safely.

"Airline customers rely on airlines to transport time-sensitive perishable products such as drugs, vaccines, organs, critical supply chain parts, and many other high-value goods," said a source at A4A. "The lack of serious mitigation on the part of 5G telcos to address the interference problem will significantly disrupt and harm the economy."

The FAA directive also ordered them to revise aircraft and helicopter flight manuals to prohibit some operations that require radio altimeter data when there is a 5G C-Band wireless broadband signal.

The FAA remains in a position to continue discussions with the FCC, White House, and industry officials about the precise contours of any limitations in this matter.