Listen to music, watch a film, play games, read a book or do any of the various other things that your portable electronic device (PED) is capable of in the flight mode during the entire duration of your flight in India.

A PED is any piece of lightweight, electrically-powered equipment.

These devices are typically consumer electronic devices capable of communications, data processing and utility, which include tablets, e-readers, laptops, smartphones and small devices such as MP3 players and electronic toys.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has removed restrictions on the use of PEDs including cell phones during take-off and landing provided the device is in the flight or aeroplane mode.

Till now, passengers were required to switch off their PEDs during take-offs and landings.

A senior DGCA official said that the order comes into immediate effect.

The ban on using a mobile phone or other devices for making a telephone call during all stages of a flight in the Indian air space, however, still remains in force.

The decision was reviewed following a meeting that the DGCA had with scheduled operators here on April 17 when a demand for removing the ban on using PEDs in flight mode was raised.

The DGCA review comes in the backdrop of new and current regulations of the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency which allow the use of PEDs in airplane mode in all phases of a flight.

Boon to passengers

The move will be a boon for passengers starved of in-flight entertainment in domestic low cost airlines.

International practise

Rajan Mathews, Director-General, Cellular Operators Association of India, said, “We are delighted that the Indian regulator has accepted growing international practise for use of mobile and devices during flight. We hope that the next step would be to actually allow passengers to make calls and send emails just like it is permitted in some of the international airlines.”

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