The US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, issued a stern warning to Airlines for America, a trade group representing major US carriers. The warning is in regards to potential flight disruptions unless critical flight instrumentation is updated. This caution comes just a week before wireless carriers in the nation are set to boost their C-Band 5G signals from July 1st.
The Clash between 5G Technology and Aviation Safety
The primary concern associated with 5G technology and its impact on aviation lies in the belief that C-Band signals bear close resemblance to frequencies used by radio altimeters. This similarity raises concerns about potential interference. In particular, it’s during instrument-based approaches to landing, which pilots rely on in poor visibility conditions.
Status of Aircraft Updates
The Department of Transportation has confirmed that approximately 80% of aircraft operated by major US airlines already possess updated radio altimeters. However, a significant number of aircraft still require these crucial updates. For instance, Delta Air Lines revealed that out of its fleet of over 900 aircraft, around 190 are yet to be equipped with updated radio altimeters.
Supply Chain Challenges and Compliance
Some airlines have expressed difficulties in meeting the deadline for updating their fleets due to supply chain issues. Airlines for America spokesperson, Marli Collier, highlighted that carriers have repeatedly communicated this reality to the government. Despite these challenges, member carriers of Airlines for America remain confident in their ability to maintain operational schedules while assuring the integrity of their services.
In contrast, certain airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, have already achieved compliance with the retrofitting requirements. United Airlines expects to meet the deadline for all its mainline jets. However, compliance for regional jets, which are operated by third-party airlines, remains uncertain. The responsibility for updating these aircraft lies with the smaller airlines that operate them, making it unclear whether all American Eagle and Delta Connection aircraft have been updated.
It is crucial to note that the impact of these developments extends beyond US air carriers. Foreign air carriers operating flights terminating in the US will also be subject to the same retrofitting requirements and potential flight disruptions.
Consequences of Noncompliance and Impact on Passengers
Airlines with non-compliant aircraft in their fleets will be forced to either avoid specific types of flights or ground those aircraft. Delta plans to cautiously use aircraft without updated radio altimeters on routes with favorable visibility to minimize disruptions temporarily. Nevertheless, Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that airlines selling flights they cannot operate may face sanctions for deceptive trade practices. This ensures that passengers are not adversely affected by an airline’s inability to equip sufficient aircraft for safe operations in the 5G C-band environment.
