Taiwan CAA to Allow Passenger Cellphone Use During Takeoff and Landing

As of tomorrow, Taiwan-based airlines are to begin implementing new rules on the in-flight use of portable electronic devices, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said.

The agency has amended the Regulations Restricting Use of Different Kinds of Communication Devices or Other Appliances Disrupting Flight to allow passengers to use cellphones or smartphones during take-off or any other time during the flight as long as they are on airplane mode.

The move follows widespread passenger complaints about the previous rules that all electronic appliances had to be turned off after the doors to the cockpit were closed.

Under the new rules, if a plane's pilot gives clearance, passengers can use their portable devices during take-off and landing.

Electronic devices that can be in airplane mode or that can be easily stowed in a cabin seat pocket are allowed to be used throughout the flight, whether domestic or international.

On international flights, oversized devices such as laptops weighing more than 1kg can be used once the plane has reached cruising altitude of more than 10,000ft (3,048m), but because of concerns about fixed cruising altitudes and different processes, use of laptops and other devices that cannot be easily stowed will still be barred on domestic flights, the agency said.

If a plane has the appropriate on-board communication facilities, such as Wi-Fi networks, devices that can receive such signals are also allowed to be used after the on-board systems are turned on, the agency said.

China Airlines, EVA Airlines, Uni Air, Mandarin Airlines and Far Eastern Air Transport said they are prepared to implement the changes as of tomorrow.

TransAsia Airways said it has already revised its regulations pertaining to usage of electrical devices, but it was still waiting for the agency to approve the changes.