Green light for the use of cell phones and tablets during takeoff and landing

Brussels has authorized the removal of restrictions on small electronic gadgets during takeoff and landing maneuvers. In any case, they must be connected in "airplane mode" and only affect mobile phones and tablets, since the ban on laptops remains in place.

Airlines will be adopting the new regulation when it is officially published by the European Union at the beginning of next year. In any case, some airlines may limit the application to the new devices, keeping it on the older ones for safety reasons.

A report prepared by the European Aérea Safety Agency (EASA) points out, however, that there is no safety risk in using these devices during the entire flight, including takeoff and landing, as long as it is done with the connection manager inactive (airplane mode).

The next step, which will take longer, has to do with telephone and Internet connections (with 3G and 4G technology). According to Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, EU authorities are checking whether they can cause safety problems before making a decision, which could take a few months.

For years, airlines have prohibited telephone or Wi-Fi connections after the doors close, and only some of them offer the possibility of connecting when the device reaches cruising altitude. However, this option is offered through a specific aircraft system that has been security certified and it is still not possible for users to connect to a terrestrial network.

Kallas has also advanced that his services are working to lift “some” of the restrictions currently in place on  líquids in carry-on luggage, although he did not clarify which ones.