WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday thanked Verizon Communications and AT&T for a delay in turning on some wireless towers near key airports to avert a significant disruption to U.S. flights as the companies launch new C-Band 5G wireless service.

"This agreement will avoid potentially devastating disruptions to passenger travel and cargo operations," Biden said in a statement.

"My team has been engaging non-stop with the wireless carriers, airlines, and aviation equipment manufacturers to chart a path forward for 5G deployment and aviation to safely co-exist -- and, at my direction, they will continue to do so until we close the remaining gap and reach a permanent, workable solution around these key airports," he said. (Reporting by Paul Grant; editing by Tim Ahmann)