Airlines around the world are adjusting flight schedules and aircraft deployments to the U.S. amid concerns that the rollout of 5G by AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. near U.S. airports could interfere with critical safety systems.
Dubai-based Emirates said it would suspend flights to several U.S. cities including Chicago, Newark and San Francisco, while Japan Airlines and ANA Holdings said on Tuesday they would drop some routes and would not use them 777 jets to and from Dubai. Continental US after Boeing’s warning
Korean Air said its 777 and 747-8 planes were affected by 5G service and it was rearranging its fleet. Air India Ltd also warned that flights to the US will be reduced or modified from January 19.
The concerns stem from the potential disruption of sensitive navigation equipment used during landings in severe weather, which the trade association representing major U.S. airlines said could lead to “catastrophic disruptions.” Frequencies in the so-called C-band used for 5G services are close to the radio waves used by aircraft radar altimeters, which track altitude and allow landings in bad weather. They also provide support for several critical safety systems.
AT&T and Verizon agreed late Tuesday to delay the opening of hundreds of 5G base stations near U.S. airports after last-minute talks with government officials over security. The companies spent billions of dollars in a government auction last year to acquire the rights, but did not provide details on how long the suspension might last or the size or area of the area around the airport.
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