Zephyrnet Logo

LATAM Resumes 777 Flights To The US Following 5G Drama

Date:

Like many airlines worldwide, LATAM Airlines Group was worried about the deployment of 5G network in the United States, something that was supposed to happen this week. LATAM switched a fraction of its operations to counteract such a measure, modifying the aircraft it would use on long-haul routes between Brazil and the United States, going from the Boeing 777-300ER to the B767 and B787 Dreamliner.

B777-300
LATAM switched flights with the Boeing 777 due to concerns regarding 5G deployment earlier this week. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

Nonetheless, following the delay in switching on the 5G network by AT&T and Verizon, LATAM Airlines Group has quickly retaken its prior schedule. The airline has put the B777-300ER back on the routes to the United States.

Gone for a minute

On January 18, LATAM Brazil switched its Boeing 777-300ER with other long-haul aircraft to operate the routes between the South American country and the United States. This was a precautionary measure due to the deployment of 5G and the concerns about the possible impact on technology such as autoland.

Currently, LATAM Brazil offers 194 monthly flights to the United States. It flies from Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), and Miami (MIA). The airline uses its Boeing 767, 777-300, and 787-8 fleet to cover these routes, according to data provided by Cirium.

Like many airlines worldwide, LATAM decided to make some changes on its routes to the United States, to address the launch of 5G. The Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) has concerns about the possible interference between 5G and aircraft technology, particularly in the areas around airports.

LATAM B767
LATAM flies the Boeing B777, B767, and B787 in routes to the US. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

But now back

The 5G saga caused a lot of controversy during the week; carriers like Emirates, ANA, Japan Airlines, Air India, and more canceled flights in the last few days. Therefore, a two-week delay was agreed on the subject, and the airlines have resumed operating their regular schedules; meanwhile, the authorities are looking for a solution to the topic.

LATAM Brazil issued a statement on the subject, as reported by local media outlet Aeroin. It can be read,

“LATAM has no further change scheduled, either on its flights or aircraft employed on routes between Brazil and the United States. The company is closely tracking the development of this topic, always following the guidelines provided by the authorities of the countries where it flies to.”

“Exceptionally, on January 18, and only as a precautionary measure, LATAM substituted its Boeing 777 (with a capacity for 410 passengers) on that date with the Boeing 787 (capacity for 300 passengers) in the Guarulhos-Miami route and with the Boeing 767 (capacity for 221 passengers) in the Guarulhos-New York route,” the airline added.

LATAM Resumes 777 Flights To The US Following 5G Drama
LATAM flies between Sao Paulo, New York, Orlando, and Miami in the US. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

So what’s going on with the 5G and aviation?

On January 19, 5G services were supposed to begin. They would have used frequencies in a radio spectrum called the C-band. These frequencies can be close to those used by radar altimeters.

Additionally, the proposed 5G deployment in the US involves a new combination of power levels, frequencies, proximity to flight operations, and other factors, said the FAA. Due to this combination, the FAA would have needed to impose restrictions on flight operations using certain types of radar altimeter equipment close to antennas in 5G networks. These restrictions would have impacted flight schedules, operations, and the whole ecosystem.

In the meantime, the FAA “is working on measures to ensure that radio signals from newly activated wireless telecommunications systems can coexist safely with flight operations in the United States, with input from the aviation sector and telecommunications industry.”

What is your take on the subject of 5G and aviation? Write your comment below.

Source: https://simpleflying.com/latam-5g-us-flights/

spot_img

Latest Intelligence

spot_img