Boeing & Airbus To Delay Putting 5G On Planes As It Could Hinder Flight Safety

Two of the largest commercial aircraft makers, Boeing and Airbus, have warned that a plan to roll out new 5G wireless networks should be delayed, as the companies fear the upgrade could interfere with vital systems onboard and pose a safety risk.

As reported by Reuters, Boeing’s Chief Executive Dave Calhoun and Airbus America’s CEO Jeffrey Knittel have asked to postpone the introduction of the new networks, which was slated for January 5, 2022.

“5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate,” said the executives in a letter to the Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, adding that the rollout could have “an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry.” 

In an email exchange with NPR, Boeing said the aviation space was “focused on fully evaluating and addressing the potential for 5G interference with radio altimeters,” which are used during flight. 

“We are collaborating with aviation authorities, government leaders, airlines, and industry groups to ensure the continued operational safety of aircraft throughout the aviation system worldwide,” it remarked. 

There’s the worry that 5G, which uses a frequency close to that used by radio altimeters, could interfere with systems onboard the aircraft. The companies even said the technology could cause flight delays in snowstorms or other low-visibility conditions. 

Backing up the claim is the Federal Aviation Administration, who earlier this month said that “radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations.” 

The agency asked for “limitations prohibiting certain operations requiring radio altimeter data when in the presence of 5G C-Band interference.” 

[via NPR, cover image via Thiago B Trevisan / Shutterstock.com]