Airline CEOs warn 5G rollout could cause ‘catastrophic disruption’ to travel, operations

An American Airlines plane is seen at sunrise on the tarmac of the Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, on April 22, 2021. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - CEOs of major airlines are raising concerns about the rollout of the new 5G wireless service and the potential "catastrophic disruption" it could cause to airplane systems and operations.

In a letter obtained by FOX Television Stations, the airline leaders wrote on Monday that they’re requesting 5G service to be implemented everywhere in the country except "within two miles of airport runways at affected airports." The CEOs said this would avoid disruptions to the aviation industry, air travelers, airline employees, supply chain, and vaccine distribution.The airline leaders wrote that the 5G rollout could ground flights and leave thousands of American travelers "stranded overseas."In December 2021, the FAA said in December 2021 that it would restrict pilots from using automated landing systems at certain airports after the rollout of 5G or fifth-generation wireless service because it could interfere with radio altimeters.Altimeters are devices that measure the height of aircraft above the ground.

Pilots use altimeters to land when visibility is poor, and they link to other systems on planes."We understand that most of the 50 large airports that were identified by the FAA for relief will still be subject to flight restrictions on January 19.

The FAA’s statement yesterday minimizes the fact that they are not granting relief to airports that are used by most of the traveling and shipping public," the letter states.