FAA Sets December 31 as Deadline-AFRAA

 FAA Wants Some Airlines to Replace Radio Altimeter, sets December 31, as Deadline

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Federal Aviation Administration has set December 31, 2022 as the deadline for particular aircraft models including Airbus A300, A320, A330, A340, B737 classic, B747 and B757 respectively, to have their radio Altimeter retrofitted or face sanction.

Raphael Kuuchi, Aviation Management Consultant, disclosed this at the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) virtual Industry Affairs briefing held yesterday.

Raphael said aircraft that are not retrofitted will be subject to restrictions in the US market.

Radio Altimeters are used to give data on airplanes height above ground for bad weather landings but the roll out of the new 5G band technology in the State is causing interference.

Kuuchi maintained that airlines that do not comply may face sanction as FAA had said.

However, FAA according to reports had earlier notified airlines in May this year to ensure they comply with this regulations but an airline trade group had declined comment in this regard, hence the sanction notice from the Administration. 

On Passenger Revenue loss for African Airlines, he said in 2022 compared to 2019, it is estimated to $3.5 billion representing 20% of 2019 revenue; in third quarter of the year 2022, the loss is $0.8 billion while that of fourth quarter stood at $0.4 billion.