The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has confirmed plans to allow passengers to use personal electronic devices (PED) during their journey via flight, with a handful of restrictions, following a similar move by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) early this month.
According to the latest EASA guidance, passengers can carry tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players on condition that the devices remain in ‘Flight Mode’ or ‘Airplane Mode’, as well use them only on board, not during taxiing, take-off and landing.
However, the use of laptops still remains restricted and must be put away during taxiing, take-off and landing.
EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said: "This is a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on-board aircraft without compromise in safety."
The final guidance is anticipated to be issued by late November and the modifications would apply aircraft operated by European airlines.
The agency is also working on new ways to certify passengers to make calls via their mobile phones on-board aircraft.
However, UK air passengers could be able to access high-speed broadband on their journey in the UK by using high-capacity Earth Stations on Mobile Platforms (ESOMPs), communications regulator Ofcom revealed.
