FAA approves two models of radio altimeters used in Boeing and Airbus aircraft to fly to airports with C-Band 5G

The Federal Aviation Administration says it has approved two radio altimeter models used in many Boeing and Airbus aircraft to make low-visibility landings at many airports where the C-Band 5G network is implemented. The announcement comes days before AT&T and Verizon launch the new 5G service.

FAA approvals allow 45% of the U.S. commercial air fleet to fly, the agency says, and include some Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, MD-10 / -11 and Airbus A310, A319, A320, A321 aircraft models. A330 and A350. Further approvals are expected in the coming days.

According to Reuters reports, the FAA said in a letter to Boeing that it was approving certain runways and aircraft with certain altimeters "because the susceptibility to C-Band 5G emissions has been kept to a minimum."

Passenger air traffic could be disrupted as early as Wednesday, January 19, with the launch of AT&T and Verizon's C-Band 5G networks. Representatives of US airlines sounded the alarm on possible interference between aircraft radio altimeters and new 5G networks.