US sticks to the deadline for 5G airplane retrofit despite industry concerns
The Biden administration refuses to extend the 1 July deadline for airlines to replace airplane altimeters, despite concerns from the International Air Transport Association that operational disruptions could occur during the busiest travel period in the north.
The Biden administration has no plans to extend the deadline of 1 July for airlines to replace airplane altimeters, which are crucial devices for safe landings in adverse weather conditions, as a measure to tackle possible interference from 5G wireless technology.
In a call on Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg informed the airlines that the deadline would not be extended. Secretary acknowledged that airlines had made progress but urged them to work hard to continue retrofitting aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week that it has no plans to postpone the deadline of 1 July before new regulations banning certain landings in limited visibility when improved altimeters go into effect.
More than 100 airlines that fly to the United States are represented by the International Air Transport Association, which stated that it was unlikely that all aircraft could be upgraded by the deadline of 1 July and that operational disruptions could occur during the busiest travel period in the north.
