Electronic devices set for airlines’ in-flight all-clear
AIR New Zealand and Jetstar will consider allowing passengers to use electronic devices throughout a flight if the Civil Aviation Authority follows its United States counterpart’s decision to approve their use.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has issued guidelines saying passengers will be able to use their devices to read, work, play games, watch movies, and listen to music, but not talk on their cellphones.
A few US airlines said they would immediately submit plans to implement the new policy.
Air NZ and Jetstar yesterday both indicated that they would probably allow the use of electronic devices throughout a flight if the CAA granted approval.
A FAA administrator said how fast the change would be implemented would vary by airline.
Airlines would have to show the FAA how their aircraft met the new guidelines and that they had updated their flight-crew training manuals, safety announcements and rules for stowing devices to reflect the changes. Fortis Travel managing director Blair Huston
New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it acknowledged the FAA’s announcement, and had been monitoring developments with electronic devices for some time.
CAA spokesman Mike Richards said: ‘‘The authority is investigating the FAA report to consider its applicability in the New Zealand context.’’
An Air NZ spokeswoman said: ‘‘Air New Zealand is in the process of considering the processes we would need to implement’’ to allow the extended use of electronic devices.’
A Jetstar spokesman said the budget airline would ‘‘take a close look at any changes by CAA in relation to electronic device use in New Zealand.’’
Fortis Travel managing director Blair Huston said customers often complained about having to turn off their devices at both ends of a flight, seeing it as unnecessary.
‘‘Surely flight mode is enough and using it is obvious. The regulations seem outdated and this has been just arse-covering by the airlines,’’ Mr Huston said.
‘‘Common sense prevailed.’’
Since 2000, 11 cases have been reported to the CAA of pilots who have experienced interference with navigational systems, most probably originating from passenger use of electronic devices, he said.
The penalty for using a device on board an aircraft is a fine of up to $2500.
Currently, passengers are required to turn off their smartphones, tablets and other devices once the aircraft’s door closes.
They are not supposed to restart them until the plane reaches 10,000 feet and the captain gives the go-ahead.
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