Manila: Philippine airport authorities ordered incoming and outgoing planes to allow passengers “conditional” Internet connection for mobile phones and laptops and other broadband services during flights as long as they are “judiciously done” with the use of earphones, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Airlines should allow “people on board the aircraft conditional use of laptops, cellular phones, internet or short-based messaging services, voice communications and other broadband services during flights,” William Hotchkiss, Civil Aviation Director General, said in a directive issued on Tuesday.
The unprecedented directive covers all “transmitting portable electronic devices,” said Hotchkiss, adding that airlines should instruct passengers to turn off their electronic devices when a plane takes off, and place them on a silent mode when planes are refuelling.
All planes must caution passenger with regards the use of speakers and amplifiers in their electronic device, said Hotchkiss.
The new directive made the Philippines ahead of the United States and the European Union in allowing plane passengers Internet connection for their electronic device, said Hotchkiss.
Aviation authorities in the US and EU have expressed concern about the dangers of unimpeded use of electronic devices while on planes.
