EU to ease ban on in-flight electronics

According to the EASA, new guidelines will be published at the end of this month which will allow passengers on European flights to use their tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players for the entire flight, as long as the devices are in airplane mode. The only exception will be large devices such as laptops, which are considered to be too bulky for use during takeoff and landing. "This is a major step in the process of expanding the freedom to use personal electronic devices on board aircraft without compromise in safety," said Patrick Ky, EASA executive director. In the long term, the EASA says it is also looking at new ways to certify the use of mobile phones on board aircraft to make phone calls, stating that it "recognises the wide proliferation of personal electronic devices and the wish of the travelling public to use them everywhere".