Mobile phone use on aeroplanes declared safe by European Aviation Safety Agency
Restrictions on mobile phone use during flights could be lifted after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ruled that there is no risk to aircraft safety.
Ruling: Passengers could be allowed to use phones on flights
Air passengers currently cannot use their mobile phones during take-off or landing, although airlines are now able to offer some in-flight services such as Wi-Fi when planes are cruising.
However, under the new ruling, passengers could be cleared to use mobile phones at any point during the flight as long as the airline they are flying with grants permission.
To take advantage of the ruling, airlines will first be required to complete a safety assessment to ensure there is no risk to their aircraft from lifting the ban. They will then have to install equipment to enable customers to get a mobile phone signal while travelling.
An EASA spokesperson told the Telegraph that it will likely take at least two months for the first airlines to pass safety assessments for mobile phone use.