Airlines trade group warns government that 5G rollout might disrupt flights throughout U.S.

A major airlines trade group asked the federal government to delay the rollout of next-generation 5G communications technology near airports, claiming that the new tech may interfere with onboard airline equipment when put into use.

Airlines for America in a bid to the government “requested that [the FCC] delay the use of the service near airports such as George Bush Airport in Houston, John F. Kennedy in New York and Newark Liberty in New Jersey,” according to news reports. 

The FCC has allegedly “​​never provided a reasoned analysis” as to why it is planning to roll out 5G in spite of concerns from the aviation industry, the group said. 

5G services are expected to offer much faster, more connective networks for users of cell phones and other communications devices. The technology began rolling out worldwide in 2019 and has been rapidly growing over the past two years.