5G Rollout Raises Concerns for July 4th Air Travel

Wireless providers are set to activate new 5G systems near major airports, potentially causing disruptions to airline flights. Concerns have been raised that 5G signals could interfere with aircraft equipment, particularly devices that use radio waves to measure distance above the ground during low visibility landings. While most major US airlines claim to be prepared for this, Delta Air Lines has 190 planes that lack upgraded altimeters due to supply chain issues. The airline does not anticipate canceling flights but plans to carefully route these planes to minimize risks. The Federal Communications Commission granted wireless carriers licenses for the C-Band spectrum, which is close to frequencies used by radio altimeters, but a compromise was reached to delay the rollout of 5G signals near 50 busy airports. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned of potential delays and cancellations due to the issue, urging airlines to adjust their schedules accordingly.