New Delhi: The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, on Wednesday allowed passengers to use portable electronic devices (PEDs), including cellphones, on the “non-transmitting” flight mode at all stages of flights, including before landing and takeoff. All wireless networks are disabled in flight mode.
Passengers can use mobiles, tablets and laptops offline to work, play video games, listen to music, watch pre-loaded movies or type emails that will be sent only after the plane lands. Passengers will not have to switch off these devices prior to takeoff. The cabin crew will ask them to put these on flight mode. This is particularly welcome for travellers on no-frills carriers that offer no in-flight entertainment.
The DGCA amended rules after requests from airlines to allow use of PEDs. It also relented as current rules of the US FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency allow use of PEDs. DGCA asked airlines to report any “suspected or confirmed PED interference or smoke or fire caused by PEDs” to it.
