The EU's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has updated its guidance on the use of portable electronic devices on board (PED), including smartphones, tablets and e-readers. These devices may now be kept switched on in ‘Flight Mode’ (non-transmitting mode) throughout the journey (including taxiing, take-off and landing) without a risk to safety. New guidance is expected to be published in early 2014.
The updated safety guidance allows, for the first time, the use of personal electronic devices in flight mode in all phases of the journey, from gate to gate. Up to now, all personal electronic devices had to be completely turned off during taxiing, take-off and landing. It is up to every airline to update their operating rules now. Many are expected to do so in the coming weeks.
Additionally, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has urged the EASA to accelerate the review of the safe use of transmitting devices on board, with new guidance to be published in the coming months. In general, airlines do not currently allow phone or Wi-Fi connection from the time the aircraft doors have closed until the aircraft has arrived at the gate and the doors are open again. Connecting to the network is today only possible in specially equipped aircraft that are able to connect users with a network (this can be permitted at cruising altitude). In those cases, a passenger does not connect to the ground network, but to a safety certified on-board system.
