Syracuse, New York – The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) has released the following statement in response to the launch of 5G cellular service and its impact on aircraft operations at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). “The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) – operator of Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) – has been made aware that the airport is currently on a list of several airports where low visibility operations are not permitted to occur due to the rollout of 5G cellular service today, Wednesday, January 19, 2022. In this case, low visibility is defined as less than a 200-foot ceiling and less than 1,800 feet ‘runway visual range’ – a measure of how far down the runway a pilot can see runway surface markings. While information is limited at this time, we will continue to engage with our federal partners and airline partners to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations at the airport as the complications associated with 5G are worked out.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should we delay 5G implementation around airports? [video link]
Over the last month, airports have been urging the federal government to intervene and delay deployment of 5G operations across the United States over credible concerns about significant disruptions to passenger and air cargo traffic. In fact, time has already run out and we are beginning to see these disruptions. Major international carriers are already cancelling flights and cargo shipments for fear that they won’t be able to safely land their aircraft at U.S. airports because of interference from 5G. Passengers and shippers can expect to see delays, diversions and cancellations while these outstanding safety issues are resolved.
The health, safety, and security of the traveling public is an airport’s top priority. While we are cautiously optimistic, there are still too many unanswered questions. Today’s positive news from AT&T and Verizon regarding additional 5G mitigation near airports is welcome, but only partially solves this avoidable problem. We will continue to urge the Biden Administration to act immediately to prevent these entirely avoidable disruptions by delaying 5G operations in the vicinity of airports until there are sufficient operational mitigations in place to avoid disastrous disruption to the flying public, shippers, and our community.
What are airports doing to help this situation? [video link]
Airports are doing their best to prepare for the bad hand that we’ve been dealt. We are taking steps to monitor operations and act in the interests of travelers, shippers, and local community. In the event flight operations are disrupted due to 5G interference, airports will work collaboratively with their airline partners to manage these disruptions, meet the needs of affected passengers, and expedite resumption of normal operations as soon as weather conditions permit.
How did we get to this point? Wasn’t this preventable? [video link]
The aviation community has been monitoring the development and deployment of 5G since for years. It has been a major safety concern for us because of potential interference between 5G signals and aircraft instrumentation, specifically the radio altimeters that enable pilots to know precisely how far above the ground they are during low altitude flight. The U.S. Government had multiple opportunities over several years to work out reasonable plans for 5G operations. Instead, it chose to ignore repeated credible warnings from the aviation industry about the detrimental impacts these operations would have on the safety, reliability, and integrity of the air transportation system. It failed to act in the interest of millions of Americans that rely on the air transportation system.
What will happen on January 19 when AT&T and Verizon turn on their 5G towers? [video link]
As it stands now, almost 90 commercial service airports will lose their low visibility approach capability, the type of approach a pilot would use in the event of rain or fog, on January 19. This capability will be restored gradually as aircraft manufacturers and radio altimeter manufactures demonstrate they can operate safely in a 5G environment via what the FAA calls “Alternative Methods of Compliance” or AMOCs. During this time, there’s a heightened risk for major air traffic disruptions due to aircraft that don’t qualify for an AMOC aren’t able to land. We’ve already seen several flights and thousands of passengers, and tons of cargo affected by 5G-relatedcancelations today by international air carriers for this reason even before 5G networks are operational.
How long could we see disruptions? [video link]
There is still a lot airports don’t know, and that is very troubling considering the deadline is upon us. We are still trying to get information from the FAA regarding additional mitigation strategies that will be deployed at individual airports, but that information has not yet been provided. Based on currently available information we have, resolution of these 5G issues will be lengthy and gradual, taking place over weeks or months. In the meantime, passengers and shippers should expect delays and disruptions until these issues are fully resolved.
