Airlines Cancel Some Flights Citing Launch of AT&T, Verizon 5G Signals

Several international airlines canceled some US-bound flights after American wireless operators and aviation officials were unable to fully resolve a months-long standoff over the launch of new 5G signals. AT&T and Verizon agreed to temporarily water down expansion plans for 5G wireless service to address air-safety regulators’ concerns about the network signals’ effect on aircraft instruments. Nonetheless, a handful of international airlines said they plan to suspend some US flights starting January 19, citing operational concerns stemming from the Federal Aviation Administration’s restrictions and Boeing’s guidance not to operate the 777 jet. Emirates Airline said it would suspend flights to nine US cities. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said Boeing had advised them not to operate the 777 to the US in light of 5G deployment. Air India also announced the cancellation of some US-bound flights operated by 777 jets. AT&T agreed to temporarily defer the turning on of a limited number of towers around some airport runways but would launch 5G services “everywhere else as planned.” Verizon also committed to limit its 5G network around airports, adding that the new high-speed service will still cover more than 90 million Americans when it goes live January 19.