Boeing and Airbus warn US over 5G safety concerns

The image is from the same source.

Bosses from the world's two biggest plane makers have called on the US government to delay the roll out of new 5G phone services.

The technology could have an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry, according to a letter written by executives at Boeing and Airbus.

Concerns have been raised that 5G wireless could interfere with aircraft electronics.

5G services are due to be launched by AT&T and Verizon on January 5.

The bosses of Boeing and Airbus Americas wrote a letter to the US transportation secretary saying that 5G interference could affect the ability of aircraft to operate safely.

According to the research done by Airlines for America, if the FAA's 5G rules had been in effect, about 345,000 passenger flights and 5,400 cargo flights would have faced delays, diversions or cancellation.

The FAA and the aviation industry are concerned about the interference of 5G with sensitive aircraft equipment.

"Airbus and Boeing have been working with other aviation industry stakeholders in the US to understand potential 5G interference with radio altimeters," the statement said.

An Aviation Safety Proposal has been submitted to the US Department of Transportation.

The FAA warned this month that 5G interference could result in flight diversions, and that it would provide more information before the January 5th roll out.

The launch of C-band wireless service was delayed by a month by AT&T and Verizon.

The measures did not go far enough, with Boeing and Airbus saying they made a counterproposal that would limit cellular transmissions around airports and other critical areas.

The FAA's 5G directives would bar the use of radio altitude meters at about 40 of America's biggest airports, according to United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby.

The US wireless industry group CTIA said that 5G is safe and accused the aviation industry of scare-mongering.

A delay will cause harm. CTIA's chief executive said in a post last month that if deployment was pushed back one year, it would subtract $50 billion from economic growth.

Boeing.
Aviation safety.
The group is called the Airbus Group.
5G.