FAA says it intends to require 5G compliance from airlines by 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration is intending to order passenger and cargo aircraft install 5G-safe equipment on all airplanes by 2024, the agency said Monday.
According to the FAA, 5G signals use frequencies that are closer to the ones used by radio altimeters, which determine the aircraft's height from the ground and are critically important when flying in bad weather. As a result, the agency found that these 5G signals can cause the altimeters to potentially issue incorrect flight data.
"Although they may seem minor in isolation such that some may consider them a mere nuisance, these warnings have safety implications over time," the FAA said in a statement obtained by Bloomberg. "As the flight crew becomes more desensitized to erroneous warnings, they are less likely to react to an accurate warning, negating the safety benefits of the warning altogether and likely leading to a catastrophic incident."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As a result of these potential dangers, the agency is requiring all airlines to install 5G-approved technology on their planes. While the exact deadline was not given, Reuters reported that the FAA wants these safeguards fully in place by "early 2024."
While the FAA maintains that the American aviation industry is "the safest in the world," issues with 5G signals interfering with altimeters have led to delays at airports in the past.
In response to the FAA, aviation lobbying group Airlines for America said that airlines were "working diligently to ensure fleets are equipped with compliant radio altimeters, but global supply chains continue to lag behind current demand," adding, "any government deadline must consider this reality."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
USC under fire for canceling valedictorian speech
Speed Read Citing safety concerns, the university canceled a pro-Palestinian student's speech
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Winchcombe meteorite: space rock may reveal how water came to Earth
The Explainer New analysis of its violent journey confirms scientific theories on the origin of our planet's H2O
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The wine industry is getting pressed as young people drink less
Under the Radar The once-dominating drink is not aging well
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The largest insurance company payouts
In The Spotlight Fights over insurance have been in the spotlight following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why are dollar stores a microcosm for America's shrinkflation problem?
Today's Big Question Recent reports have tapped dollar stores as the top offenders of shrinkflation — even beyond grocery stores
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published