America’s FAA has done it, now European airlines look to be following suit. The European Union’s airline regulator the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) has released a statement announcing that they will “extend to all phases of flight the possibility to use personal electronic devices (PED) such as tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players as long as the devices are in ‘Flight Mode’ or ‘Airplane Mode'” in a guidance to be published before the end of this month.
The step will allow greater freedom of use for electronic devices on European aircraft but the EASA isn’t going to stop there. They’re also looking to “…certify the use of mobile phones on-board aircraft to make phone calls. EASA recognises the wide proliferation of personal electronic devices and the wish of the travelling public to use them everywhere.”
It’s a good start for Europe, now we just need South Africa’s CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to join the party.
Source: The Verge