Starting July 1st, a new regulation will come into effect in the United States that could potentially cause delays for air travelers. The regulation states that any planes without retrofitted sensitive radar altimeters will not be allowed to land in low visibility conditions. This stipulation is not related to an ongoing safety issue but is instead a response to the increasing power of 5G networks operated by US wireless companies, which has the potential to interfere with aircraft equipment.
The implementation of this regulation has been a long time coming, with years of delays and debates between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Concerns were raised about the impact of 5G signals on radio waves that are used to determine an aircraft’s altitude above the ground. Originally planned for January 2022, the increase in power of 5G networks was delayed until July 2022, and now, a compromise has been reached to proceed on July 1st, 2023.
Approximately 80 percent of domestic aircraft have already undergone the necessary retrofitting, with only a small number of planes from top carriers left to be upgraded. Delta, for example, still needs to update 190 planes, while JetBlue has 17 planes remaining. Airlines for America, a trade association representing major US carriers, has cited supply chain problems as the cause of these remaining upgrades. On the other hand, United, Southwest, and American Airlines have reported that they will have all their planes retrofitted by the deadline. When it comes to international flights into the US, around 65 percent of aircraft already have up-to-date altimeters, and airlines will utilize these planes whenever possible.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has expressed concern about the potential for delays or cancellations due to this new regulation. He highlighted the fact that this issue represents one of the biggest foreseeable problems that could affect the performance of air travel during the summer. The extent of the impact will largely depend on weather conditions, but fortunately, there are no major snowstorms expected in the near future. It’s important to note that all planes in the US will be required to have updated altimeters by February 2024, regardless of visibility conditions.
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It is worth mentioning that the implementation of this regulation and the importance of retrofitting aircraft altimeters has gained attention from various media outlets. The Wall Street Journal has reported on this development, emphasizing the potential for travel disruptions. However, it is essential to recognize that this regulation is a necessary step to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel in the face of advancing technology.
In conclusion, starting July 1st, planes without retrofitted sensitive radar altimeters will not be allowed to land in low visibility conditions in the US. This regulation is a response to the increased power of 5G networks and aims to prevent interference with aircraft equipment. While the majority of domestic aircraft have already been upgraded, some top carriers still have a small number of planes left to retrofit. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has warned of possible delays or cancellations due to this regulation, but the extent of the impact will depend on weather conditions. Overall, this regulation is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel in the rapidly advancing technological landscape.
