5G Internet Scare: Air India Resumes US Operations After Boeing Clears Aircraft B777

On Thursday, Boeing approved Air India to operate in the USA with the B777. The first flight took off to the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Boeing 777 (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi:  After Air India (AI) cancelled more than eight flights to the US due to the 5G rollout, the airline resumed operations after getting clearance from aircraft manufacturer Boeing. Boeing approved Air India to operate in the US with the carrier B777.

 

"After approval from the US authority, Air India has resumed B777 operations to the US today," airline officials were quoted as saying by ANI.

 

The first flight took off to the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. Air India said in a statement: "The first flight has left this morning to JFK. Other flights leaving in the day are to Chicago and San Francisco."

After approval from the US authority, Air India has resumed B777 operations to the US today… Due to 5G rollout, Air India had so far canceled more than 8 flights to the USA: Airline officials

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2022

Air India further said that arrangements to carry stranded passengers are being worked out. Also, the matter regarding B777 flying into the USA has been sorted, the National Carrier of India added.

Flights To The US Were Modified Or Cancelled Due To The 5G Rollout

In North America, 5G internet had been deployed, because of which Air India had cancelled eight flights on India-US routes from Wednesday. This decision was taken keeping in mind the fact that 5G internet could potentially interfere with aircraft's navigation systems.

 

On January 14, US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had said that "5G interference with the aircraft's radio altimeter could prevent engine and braking systems from transitioning to landing mode, which could prevent an aircraft from stopping on the runway," according to media reports.

 

The altimeter, which measures the height of the aircraft above the ground, works on a bond that is close to the one on which the 5G system works.

 

Besides Air India, there are at least nine other international flights that have modified or cancelled flights to the US due to the 5G internet rollout.

 

READ | 5G Internet: Why US Airlines Are Worried And How Serious Is The Risk To Flights | EXPLAINED

 

Air India, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and British Airways are some of the airlines which have announced changes to some of their flights, according to media reports.

 

CEOs from some airlines, in a Tuesday letter, told the Biden administration to push back the already-delayed rollout.

In an official statement issued by The White House, the Biden administration said: "This agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel, cargo operations, and our economic recovery while allowing more than 90 per cent of wireless tower deployment to occur as scheduled."

 

The statement further said that the agreement protects flight safety allows aviation operations to continue without significant disruption and will bring more high-speed internet options to millions of Americans.

 

Areas in California, Florida, New England, Texas, and the Midwest will gain 5G coverage, according to a service map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

 

This could jeopardise some of the largest airports, including in Los Angeles, New York, and Houston, aviation groups have warned.

 

According to technology experts, the potential for interference is an ever-present feature of all wireless communications and not just 5G. 

American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Air India are the three carriers that currently operate direct flights between India and the US.