As AT&T and Verizon get set to deploy new 5G service, CEOs of major U.S. passenger and cargo carriers have cried wolf over an impending “catastrophic” aviation crisis in less than 36 hours.
The airlines warned the new C-Band 5G service set to begin on Wednesday could render a significant number of widebody aircraft unusable.
The airlines see the deployment of 5G stranding tens of thousands of Americans overseas and causing “chaos” for U.S. flights.
The airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines , Southwest Airlines and others – objected to 5G deployment in a letter.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that potential interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments such as altimeters and significantly hamper low-visibility operations.
Airlines late on Monday were considering whether to begin canceling some international flights that are scheduled to arrive in the United States on Wednesday.
The letter went to White House National Economic Council director Brian Deese, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
