Southwest, Delta Execs Cite C-Band Impacts to Airlines

Southwest Airlines CEO Scott Kelly cited FAA concerns about flights being diverted or grounded because of 5G C-band wireless broadband signals (see 2112070047) as “our No. 1 concern … in the near term” during a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing on aviation safety. FAA opposition to FCC work toward allowing Verizon and AT&T to start using their C-band spectrum for 5G, including a recent airworthiness directive, “would significantly impact” Southwest operations, Kelly responded to a question from Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Delta Air Lines Chief of Operations John Laughter told Blackburn the “safety concerns” for the aviation industry are “very real,” but he believes a “combination of power adjustments and location” would allow the U.S. to “absolutely solve this and live in a world where there is 5G available” on the C band. Blackburn noted 39 other countries allow 5G use on the frequency and believes FAA opposition “undermines America’s efforts to remain a leader in 5G.” Lawmakers “are quite concerned about this,” especially because of China’s bid to win out over the U.S. as 5G leader, she said.