FAA Raises Share Of Commercial Airplanes Deemed Safe From 5G Interference To 62% Of U.S. Fleet – Including Boeing 777

Topline

The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday said it had determined that 5G cellular transmissions did not interfere with three models of radio altimeters commonly used on airliners to determine their altitude during conditions with poor visibility, expanding its list of Boeing and Airbus planes that are safe to perform instrument landings at U.S. airports to 62% of U.S. commercial airplanes, including the Boeing 777.

Key Facts

Several foreign carriers canceled or swapped out U.S.-bound 777 flights Tuesday following a warning from the FAA and Boeing that the 777 was particularly impacted by the U.S. rollout of 5G service.

The agency has been examining radio altimeters installed in aircraft after warning last year that 5G signals near airports could disrupt the equipment, which pilots rely on for landing at night and on days with poor visibility. 

Major disruptions from the 5G rollout were avoided on the first day of service after telecommunications companies AT&T and Verizon Communications agreed Tuesday to delay the rollout of 5G cellular data near some airports to avoid interfering with aviation technology. 

The FAA did not immediately respond to a Forbes inquiry asking when it started testing which radio altimeters were affected by 5G services.

Key Background

The FAA and the aviation industry have tussled for years with telecom companies and the Federal Communication Commission over the FCC’s decision to make a portion of the spectrum known as the C band available for use to roll out 5G cellular services. The FAA and airlines have contended that the C band is too close to frequencies used by equipment on airplanes, posing an unacceptable risk of interference. Last week, the FAA asked telecommunications companies to hold off on activating 5G services near certain airports to avoid disruption. On Monday, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, FedEx and seven other air carriers requested that areas within two miles of airport runways should be 5G-free. In response, AT&T and Verizon postponed the launch of 5G services near some airports for the time being. Concerns over 5G interference with aviation technology prompted international carriers to cancel or swap U.S.-bound flights. Tim Clark, president of Emirates, told CNN Wednesday he was unaware of the situation surrounding 5G services, blasting how the rollout has been managed. One of the two models that Emirates flies is the Boeing 777, which the FAA had not cleared for operation until Wednesday. Japan Airlines resumed flights of its 777s after canceling 20 flights to Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, Reuters and the Associated Press reported. British Airways had canceled several Boeing 777 flights and changed U.S.-bound aircraft to different models. Korean Air, Cathay Pacific and Austrian Airlines said they had switched aircraft instead of the 777, while Air France said was planning to use 777s as scheduled, the Associated Press reported. 

Further Reading

U.S. FAA OKs 62% of commercial air fleet for some landings in 5G zones (Reuters)

Japanese airlines resume U.S. Boeing 777 flights after 5G rollout (Reuters)

Major airlines cancel, change flights to US over 5G dispute (Associated Press)

EXPLAINER: Why airlines fear 5G will upend travel this week (Associated Press)

AT&T Delays 5G Rollout Near Some Airports After Airlines Warn Of Disruptions (Forbes)