Air travel chaos looms as US keeps 5G altimeter refit deadline

The US will not delay a deadline for airlines to refit planes with new sensors to address possible 5G interference, despite concerns the cut-off date could cause travel disruption. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that airlines were told the July 1, 2023 deadline would remain in place. Airlines have warned that they will not be able to meet the deadline and may be forced to ground some planes. Telecoms firms have previously delayed 5G rollout to allow airlines to adapt. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation companies have previously raised concerns that C-Band spectrum 5G wireless could interfere with aircraft altimeters, which measure a plane's height above the ground. Major tech companies, like Verizon and AT&T, agreed in 2022 to delay the rollout of 5G technology until 1 July 2023 to allow airlines time to retrofit their altimeters. However, technology companies have said 5G is safe and have accused the aviation industry of fearmongering and distorting facts.