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The global aviation industry faces “catastrophic” disruption from the rollout of 5G network service this week, airline leaders have said.
In a letter sent Monday to United States transportation and economic officials, the Chief Executive Officers of major carriers said that the launch could ground flights and leave ‘tens of thousands of Americans’ stranded around the world.
In the letter, obtained by NBC News, the airlines warned that the 5G signals risked interfering with safety equipment pilots rely on to take off and land in inclement weather.
“Unless our major hubs are cleared to fly, the vast majority of the traveling and shipping public will essentially be grounded,” they said in the letter, which was signed by the chief executives of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue, along with leaders of UPS and FedEx.
“Immediate intervention is needed to avoid significant operational disruption to air passengers, shippers, supply chain and delivery of needed medical supplies,” the letter said.
The letter was addressed to National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Stephen Dickson and Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
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