US-bound flights could again be interrupted because of 5G rollout: IATA

US-bound flights could again be interrupted because of 5G rollout: IATA

Doha: Airlines could see “massive disruption” in 2023 due to the rollout of 5G networks in the US as industry stakeholders struggle to come to a consensus. US regulators require airlines to replace or upgrade their existing radio altimeters – which are approved by both the FAA and the US Federal Communications Commission – by July 2023. “We find ourselves in a situation where we’re mandated to implement radio filters and new radio altimeters altogether on all aircraft operating into the US,” said Nick Careen, senior vice president of IATA’s operations, safety and security division. “The FAA is claiming that there’s consensus on this note on this date, but there isn’t – the manufacturers won’t commit to this date and the airlines do not have a clear directive yet,” said Careen, during IATA’s AGM in Doha. Earlier in January, major international airlines cancelled US-bound flights a day before the rollout of 5G networks. “We must not repeat the recent experience in the United States,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. “Many countries have successfully managed to facilitate the requirements of 5G service providers, while including necessary mitigations to preserve aviation safety and uninterrupted services.” Before deciding on any spectrum allocations