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SIA changes aircraft on US routes over 5G concerns


Published : 22 Jan 2022 10:45 PM | Updated : 23 Jan 2022 01:24 PM

Singapore Airlines on January 19 announced that it has switched aircraft used on some of the United States routes, following guidance from Boeing and regulators.

The move comes after the US rolled out 5G mobile service in the country which has triggered safety concerns amid airlines.

SIA said flights SQ25 and SQ26, which fly between Singapore and New York via Frankfurt, have been operated by the Airbus A350-900 instead of the earlier Boeing 777-300ER since at least a day ago before the roll out of 5G.

From January 19, flights SQ11 and SQ12 flying on the route between Singapore and Los Angeles via Tokyo is also being operated by the Airbus A350-900 aircraft instead of the previous Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

SIA further mentioned it will continue monitoring the situation, working closely with regulators and Boeing on the matter.

"We will reach out to the customers whose booking may be affected by the aircraft change," said the airline in a statement.

The recent roll out of the 5G wireless service in the USA has caused worry among major international airlines. Many have cancelled flights to some US locations after Boeing issued a notice saying the 5G signals may interfere with the radio altimeter on the B777, leading to restrictions.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has also warned that the new 5G technology could interfere with instruments such as radio altimeters, which measure how far above the ground an airplane is flying.

However, two wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon announced they would delay turning on some 5G towers near airports.

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