5G Disruptions: Airports Affected And Their Responses

The rollout of 5G has caused concern for airlines and airports, with the potential for catastrophic disruption to flights and shipping. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a list of 50 airports that will have '5G buffer zones' to reduce the risk of disruption to airplane instruments like altimeters, which tell pilots how high they are above the ground and are crucial for low-visibility landings. The buffer zones will only protect the last 20 seconds of flight, and the FAA has warned that there is still a heightened risk of major air traffic disruptions.

Airports affected by 5G

5G interference with aircraft instruments

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working with wireless companies to determine how 5G C-band signals interact with sensitive aircraft instruments. The concern is that certain radio frequencies, when operating near a 5G tower, can cause inaccurate altitude readings for certain radio altimeters, which can put the aircraft and its crew at risk.

The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) revising the landing requirements for certain Boeing aircraft models, prohibiting them from landing at airports where 5G interference could occur. The AD does not apply to airports where the FAA has determined that aircraft radio altimeters are safe and reliable in the 5G C-band environment or where 5G isn't deployed.

The FAA has identified 50 airports that will have buffer zones to reduce the risk of disruption. These airports were selected based on factors such as traffic volume, the number of low-visibility days, and geographic location. Wireless companies have agreed to turn off transmitters and make adjustments near these airports to minimize potential 5G interference with sensitive aircraft instruments used in low-visibility landings.

Aircraft makers have been asked to test the effects of erroneous or misleading radio altimeter data caused by 5G interference and evaluate the potential impact on their fleet. Pilots have also been instructed to report any radio altimeter anomalies and be aware of potential degradation of safety systems that rely on accurate data from altimeters.

The FAA has also provided recommendations and guidelines for gathering and submitting information on altimeter performance in environments with 5G transmissions. Airlines are retrofitting aircraft or radar altimeters with filters to achieve a higher interference tolerance level, known as "Group 4" performance. This will allow wireless companies to safely deploy more towers and enhance service at certain airports while minimizing the possibility of interference.

Low-visibility landings

The rollout of 5G in the US has caused concern for the aviation industry, with the potential for interference with radio altimeters. Radio altimeters are crucial for low-visibility landings, providing data on height above the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that certain airports with 5G C-band wireless deployment may face restrictions on low-visibility landings.

The FAA has stated that some altimeters are too susceptible to 5G interference, and these flights will be prohibited from performing low-visibility landings near 5G deployments. This is a safety measure, as the FAA does not want to compromise safety when it comes to landing in low-visibility conditions. The FAA has worked with wireless companies to determine the exact locations of wireless transmitters and understand how 5G C-band signals interact with aircraft instruments. This has allowed the FAA to create buffer zones around airports to reduce the risk of disruption.

Initially, the FAA had approved 62% of the US fleet to land in low-visibility conditions near 5G airports, but this number increased to 78% with additional approvals for altimeters. The FAA has cleared altimeters on several aircraft models, including Boeing 717s, 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, and 777s, as well as Airbus A310s, A320s, A321s, A350s, and A380s. This approval allows these aircraft to perform low-visibility landings at airports with 5G deployment.

The impact of 5G on low-visibility landings has caused some flight disruptions, with some flights being diverted or canceled. Airports in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and San Francisco were among those affected. However, the first day of 5G service saw relatively clear weather, which minimized the impact on flight operations. Wireless companies have also agreed to certain measures, such as turning off transmitters and reducing power near airports, to minimize potential interference with aircraft instruments.

FAA's list of 50 airports with 5G buffer zones

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a list of 50 airports that will have buffer zones to prevent flight disruptions when wireless companies turned on new 5G C-band service. The FAA sought input from the aviation community on where the proposed buffer zones would help reduce the risk of disruption. Factors such as traffic volume, the number of low-visibility days, and geographic location were considered in the selection.

The FAA's list includes busy airports like Chicago O'Hare, Orlando International, Los Angeles International, and Dallas/Fort Worth International. Airports in locations often impacted by fog, such as Seattle/Tacoma International and San Francisco International, are also on the list. These buffer zones will help ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations during the rollout of 5G services.

The FAA's decision is based on the potential interference of 5G signals with aircraft instruments, particularly radio altimeters, which are crucial for safe landings, especially in low-visibility conditions. The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) revising the landing requirements for certain Boeing and Airbus aircraft models to ensure safe operations around 5G-affected airports.

It's important to note that not all airports are affected by the new 5G deployment. Airports not in the 46 markets where the new service is deployed and airports that do not currently allow low-visibility landings are not impacted. Wireless companies have agreed to turn off transmitters and make adjustments near these airports to minimize potential interference with aircraft instruments.

The FAA's list of 50 airports with 5G buffer zones is a proactive measure to balance the rollout of 5G technology while ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. By working collaboratively with wireless companies and considering the input from the aviation community, the FAA aims to reduce disruptions and ensure a smooth transition into the new 5G era.

Airlines' concerns about catastrophic disruption

The rollout of 5G services has been a cause for concern for airlines, with potential disruptions to flights and shipping. The issue is with the C-band 5G expansion, which could interfere with the radio altimeters that planes rely on for landing in low-visibility conditions. This has led to worries about "catastrophic disruption" to the aviation industry.

In a letter to US government officials, the chief executives of major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Jet Blue, UPS, and FedEx, warned of significant operational disruption. They stated that without clearance for their flights to operate, "the nation's commerce will grind to a halt." The letter also highlighted the potential impact on the supply chain and the delivery of essential medical supplies.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working with wireless companies to address these concerns. They have identified 50 airports that will have buffer zones to reduce the risk of disruption. These buffer zones will have minimal or no 5G service when it is turned on. The FAA has also issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) revising the landing requirements for certain Boeing aircraft models, prohibiting them from landing at airports where 5G interference could occur.

Despite these measures, some airlines have already been affected. On January 18, 2022, Emirates, Air India, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines cancelled flights or switched out planes due to warnings from Boeing about their 777 and 747-8 aircraft. However, Japan Airlines resumed flights to the US on January 20 after the FAA assured them that the issue with the Boeing 777 had been resolved.

5G rollout near airports

The rollout of 5G near airports has been a highly anticipated development, with promises of faster wireless service for tens of millions of people. However, the 5G rollout near airports has also faced challenges and delays, primarily due to concerns about potential interference with aircraft technology.

In the United States, telecom giants Verizon and AT&T have been at the forefront of the 5G rollout near airports. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airlines raised concerns about the potential interference of 5G signals with radio altimeters, devices that help pilots determine the height of their aircraft above the ground, especially during low-visibility landings. These concerns led to cancellations and changes to flights, particularly those involving wide-body Boeing aircraft.

To address these issues, Verizon and AT&T agreed to temporarily reduce the rollout of 5G near dozens of airports, including major airports like New York's JFK and LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Chicago's O'Hare and Midway, San Francisco, and Seattle. The telecom companies also agreed to turn off transmitters and make adjustments near certain airports to minimize potential interference with sensitive aircraft instruments. Additionally, the FAA worked to identify which aircraft were safe to fly near 5G and approved more types of planes, including the Boeing 777, to land in low-visibility conditions near 5G signals.

While the rollout of 5G near airports faced initial hurdles, compromises were reached. Verizon and AT&T agreed to extend the delay in their 5G rollout plans near major airports, giving the FAA and operators more time to implement necessary changes. This phased rollout plan aimed to balance the rollout of faster wireless services with ensuring the safety of aircraft operations near airports.

The challenges with the 5G rollout near airports highlight the complex nature of implementing new technologies and the importance of coordination between different stakeholders. While 5G promises enhanced connectivity and faster speeds, careful planning and consideration of potential impacts are necessary to ensure a smooth and safe implementation.

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