US will not extend 5G wireless safety upgrade deadline for airlines

United States President Joe Biden and his administration announced that it would not extend the July 1 deadline for airlines to make the necessary upgrades to avoid potential interference from 5G wireless technology.

According to Reuters.com, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told carriers in the U.S. on Tuesday that the deadline to update airplane altimeters to avoid interference with modern technology would not be moved.

Buttigieg said that while airlines have made progress on the upgrades, he urged the companies to “work aggressively to continue retrofitting airplanes.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also announced last week it would not extend the July 1 deadline.

The altimeters in planes are used to assist in bad-weather landings, and the 5G wireless technology reportedly causes issues with the instrumentation. Starting on July 1, carriers will not be able to make certain landings in low-visibility conditions without upgraded altimeters.

Several major airlines in the U.S. have pushed for a deadline extension, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) blaming “supply chain issues” as the reason that many planes won’t receive the upgrade before the busy summer travel season.

In response, FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said that planes that do not have the approved changes by July 1 could be forced to divert landings in low-visibility conditions, while they will not be approved to fly at all starting next year.