Air India Cancelled Many US Flights Due To Deployment of 5G Network

Indian national carrier Air India on Tuesday informed that it has canceled many US-bound flights on Wednesday, 19th Jan 2022 due to the deployment of 5G communications in the United States.

“Due to deployment of 5G communications in the USA, our operations to the USA from India stand curtailed/revised with change in aircraft type from 19th January 2022.” Said Air India in a Tweet.

#FlyAI: Due to deployment of 5G communications in USA, our operations to USA from India stand curtailed/revised with change in aircraft type from 19th January 2022.

Update in this regard will be informed shortly.

— Air India (@airindiain) January 18, 2022

As per the additional details shared by the Indian carrier a total of 8 operations have been impacted from the 5G network deployment which includes flights between Delhi, Mumbai to New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Newark.

“Due to deployment of the 5G communications in the USA, we will not be able to operate the following flights of 19th Jan’22:” AI Informed

• AI101/102 DEL/JFK/DEL
• AI173/174 DEL/SFO/DEL
• AI127/126 DEL/ORD/DEL
• AI191/144 BOM/EWR/BOM

However, Air India in another tweet said that it will operate the flight to Washington DC from Delhi by AI103 on Wednesday. “Passengers scheduled to fly to Washington DC from Delhi by AI103 of 19th January’ 22 may kindly note the flight will operate as per schedule.“

Impact of 5G Network on Flight Operations

As per industry insiders, the 5G network deployment might cause certain crucial flight instruments to malfunction.

On the eve of a 5G wireless rollout that triggered safety concerns, despite two wireless carriers saying they will delay parts of the deployment – major international airlines had rushed on Tuesday to rejig or cancel flights to the United States.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that potential 5G interference could affect height readings that play a key role in bad-weather landings on some jets and airlines say the Boeing 777 is among models initially in the spotlight.

Despite an announcement by AT&T and Verizon that they would delay turning on some 5G towers near airports, several airlines still canceled flights. Others said more cancellations were likely unless the FAA issued new formal guidance in the wake of the wireless announcements.

Emirates Cancelled Flights To 9 US Destinations

The world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777, Dubai`s Emirates, said it would suspend flights to nine U.S. destinations from January 19, the planned date for the deployment of 5G wireless services.

Emirates flights to New York`s JFK, Los Angeles, and Washington DC will continue to operate. Japan’s two major airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines said they would curtail Boeing 777 flights.