The European Aviation Safety Agency has announced that European airlines can now decide for themselves whether their passengers are allowed to call from the air. The rules for devices such as tablets and other electronics are also being relaxed.
EASA says it will no longer impose a rule requiring travelers to enable airplane mode on wearable electronics. According to an EASA spokesperson, the amendment to the rules will “theoretically” allow a passenger to continue making calls from the departure lounge to the sky.
According to the EASA, which already relaxed the rules last year, travelers will now have more freedom of movement than with American airlines. However, European airlines will be given the option of not allowing this as yet or of drawing up their own rules for the use of consumer electronics on board. Passengers must also switch off the equipment if requested by the crew.
Despite the relaxation of the rules, the EASA does ask that airlines check whether the wireless signals generated by the devices do not interfere with the control of their aircraft. The companies must follow an internal procedure for this. In addition, many airlines will still have to install the necessary equipment in their aircraft. However, it is not inconceivable that ‘quiet zones’ will eventually be created in aircraft, such as the quiet compartments in trains.