Some airlines announced flight suspensions to Miami International Airport , after cellular operators Verizon and AT&T announced delays in the launch of 5G mobile phone technology.
The CEOs of American, United, Delta and seven other airlines have warned of significant disruptions to their travel plans in the country if the 5G rollout goes ahead as planned, Diario las Américas reported
Emirates, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have anticipated changes to some flights, citing possible incidents related to the new cellular technology.
Emirates spokesmen disclosed that flights to nine US airports would be suspended, including Miami. The other air terminals are those of Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle.
However, the Dubai-based airline reported that it would continue to fly to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Los Angeles International and Washington Dulles.
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“We are working closely with aircraft manufacturers and relevant authorities to alleviate operational concerns, and look forward to resuming our services in the United States as soon as possible,” Emirates said in a statement.
Aviation officials are concerned that the frequency used for 5G could interfere with aircraft radio altimeters, devices used by pilots to measure the distance between the plane and the ground upon landing.
Also, Germany’s Lufthansa canceled a flight between Frankfurt and Miami. Similarly, the airline announced that it would change Boeing 747-8 aircraft for 747-400 on flights from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
Still, Palm Beach International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport are among the 50 across the country where ‘5G buffer’ zones exist to help prevent outages.
In a letter, US airline executives wrote to government officials on Monday asking that wireless carriers not roll out 5G within two miles of runways at certain airports.
AT&T and Verizon have assured that transmissions from their 5G towers will not interfere with aircraft radio altimeters and other aviation electronics, saying the technology is being used safely in more than 40 countries.
However, wireless carriers agreed Tuesday to postpone powering up 5G towers at some airports, though AT&T and Verizon did not immediately say how long this delay in 5G rollout would continue.
