UPDATE International airlines are in danger of missing deadlines set for them to retrofit their altimeters to guard against interference from 5G emissions, according to a letter from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to the FAA. Obtained by Reuters, the letter from the IATA, which represents more than 100 carriers that fly to the U.S., is another setback in the U.S. government’s efforts to allow carriers to fully use C-band transmitters near airports.
Airlines and other operators of aircraft equipped with the affected radio altimeters must install filters or other enhancements as soon as possible, the FAA said in June 2022.
“Filters and replacement units for the mainline commercial fleet should be available on a schedule that would permit the work to be largely completed by July 2023,” the agency said. “After that time, the wireless companies expect to operate their networks in urban areas with minimal restrictions.”
The IATA letter countered that supply chain problems are still affecting airlines, making them unable to meet U.S. airplane altimeter retrofit deadlines, which would affect the summer international travel season. “It is critical that we acknowledge and accept that fact and move collectively to change our approach to this issue now, before many carriers are unable to continue to serve the U.S. market during the peak summer travel season,” the letter added.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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