U.S. Keeps Altimeter Refit Deadline As Airlines Fret

The US will not delay a deadline for airlines to refit planes with new sensors to address possible 5G interference, despite concerns the cut-off date could cause travel disruption, Mazx Matxza reported for BBC News.

Photo Insert: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation companies have previously raised concerns that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless could interfere with aircraft altimeters.

Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that airlines were told the 1 July deadline would remain in place. Airlines have warned that they will not be able to meet the deadline and may be forced to ground some planes.

Telecoms firms have previously delayed 5G rollout to allow airlines to adapt. In the US, the radio frequencies being used for 5G are in the part of the spectrum known as C-Band.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation companies have previously raised concerns that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless could interfere with aircraft altimeters, which measure a plane's height above the ground. Buttigieg told airlines to work double time to retrofit their planes, Reuters also reported.

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