IATA urges global regulators to safeguard aviation systems amid 5G, Future 6G network expansion

GLOBAL – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and national telecommunication regulators to ensure that 5G and future 6G networks operating near aviation frequencies do not interfere with radio altimeters and other critical avionic systems.

This appeal is part of ongoing preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27), which will establish long-term global spectrum policies.

IATA submitted a detailed working paper to the ITU outlining essential safety requirements and operational scenarios, including take-off, landing, taxi, go-around maneuvers, adverse weather like turbulence and windshear, and emergencies.

Radio altimeters provide vital height information during all these flight phases, supporting pilots and automated systems.

IATA stresses a non-negotiable minimum separation of 35 feet (11 meters) between aircraft and terrestrial 5G transmitters to avoid harmful interference.

Current 5G mitigations, such as reduced transmission power and runway exclusion zones, were implemented voluntarily and are temporary, with several set to expire soon.

Next-generation radio altimeters more resistant to 5G interference are not expected until the early 2030s, creating a critical safety gap.

IATA’s Senior Vice President Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen, emphasized that spectrum decisions must reflect real-world aviation challenges, not idealized telecom models.

IATA urges regulators worldwide to adopt clear, consistent, and enforceable safeguards ensuring that telecommunications advancements never compromise aviation safety across all phases of flight, balancing innovation with protection of life-critical systems.

In addition to its recent call for safeguarding aviation systems amid 5G and 6G expansion, IATA (International Air Transport Association) has historically shaped the aviation industry through impactful regulations and initiatives.

Since its 1945 founding, IATA has standardized technical specifications that enable seamless global airline operations, including the creation of the Unit Load Device (ULD) system used worldwide to efficiently track and handle cargo.

IATA also pioneered safety standards like the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), first published in 1956, which remain the global benchmark for the safe air transport of hazardous materials.

In the 1960s, it introduced the Live Animals Regulations, ensuring consistent in-flight care standards for transported animals.

On the commercial side, IATA developed comprehensive interline traffic agreements allowing airlines to honor each other’s tickets, ensuring smoother passenger and cargo transfers.

Its work harmonized documentation and legal frameworks such as the conditions of carriage and the modernization of the Warsaw Convention, governing airline liability.

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