Several Airlines cancel flights to U.S. due to 5G rollout

Due to operational concerns associated with the planned deployment of 5G mobile network services in the US at certain airports, many international airlines suspend some flights to the U.S. beginning Wednesday. The industry’s concern: The frequency could interfere with aeroplane systems that measure altitude. 

Air India announced on Twitter that it would cease flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

Emirates is suspending flights to nine U.S. destinations from 19 January 2022 until further notice “due to operational concerns” with the planned 5G deployment: Boston, Chicago, Dallas Fort-Worth, Houston, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco and Seattle. Its flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., will continue to operate as scheduled.  

The airline said in a statement that it is working closely with aeroplane manufacturers and aviation authorities on the issue and hopes to resume the flights “as soon as possible.”

Two Japanese airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways, also announced that they would cancel some of their flights.

“Boeing has notified us that 5G signals for U.S. mobile phones, which will begin operating in the U.S. on January 19, 2022, may interfere with the radio wave altimeter installed on the Boeing 777,” Japan Airlines said in a Tuesday statement. “We have decided not to use this aircraft-type on the U.S. mainland routes until safety is confirmed.”

All Nippon Airways anticipates cancelling 10 U.S. flights between Tuesday and Thursday, but spokesperson Nao Gunji noted that AT&T and Verizon’s decision to delay the 5G rollout could lead to a change in plans. 

Overall, Wednesday flight cancellations are minimal, with just 88 flights to, from and within the U.S. cancelled as of 4:30 p.m. ET, according to FlightAware.