European Aviation Safety Agency Allows Use of Electronic Devices throughout Flight

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has allowed European airlines to permit the use of mobile phones following the aircraft landing.

Airlines can also allow the use of portable electronic devices (PEDs) throughout the flight, after a safety assessment process, according to a media statement of EASA.

PEDs include any kind of electronic device brought on board the aircraft by a passenger such as smartphone, tablet, laptop, e-reader, MP3 player, etc.

The new guidance allows airlines to permit PEDs to stay switched on, without the need to be in ‘Airplane Mode'.

It is up to each airline to decide to allow the use of PEDs. In order to do this, the airline will have to go through an assessment process, ensuring aircraft systems are not affected in any way by the transmission signals from the PEDs.

In December 2013, EASA permitted the use of PEDs through almost all stages of flight as long as the devices were in "Airplane Mode".