Following EASA’s initial action in December 2013, toward permitting the use of PEDs through almost all stages of flight when in a non-transmiting ‘Airplane Mode’, the agency has now given airlines the option to allow the use of PEDs throughout the flight.
Having conducted a safety assessment process, if the airline permits it, passengers can now use their PEDs throughout the flight, without having to be in ‘Airplane Mode’. This is the latest regulatory step towards enabling the ability to offer ‘gate-to-gate’ telecommunication or wi-fi services.
It is up to each airline to decide whether to allow the use of PEDs. In order to do this, the airline will have to go through an assessment process, ensuring aircraft systems are not affected in any way by the transmission signals from the PEDs. For this reason, there may be differences among airlines whether and when PEDs can be used.
