Phones, tablets cleared for take-off, landing

SINGAPORE — Passengers on approved local carriers will now be allowed to use their electronic devices during take-off and landing under new regulations, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) yesterday.

Mobile phones, tablets and various other transmitting portable electronic devices (PEDs) may now be used in those phases of flight, provided they are set to flight mode and their transmitting functions are disabled. Those who want to use their device in non-flight mode will have to wait until the plane is cruising above 10,000 feet.

The new rules have been in effect since May 31 and the eight local carriers involved are Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Tiger Airways, Scoot, Jetstar, Valuair, ST Aerospace and Singapore Airlines Cargo.

Before implementing the rules, the carriers will have to ensure that their aircraft meet the certification requirements and conduct the necessary safety risk assessments, said the CAAS. This is to verify that the use of the PEDs would not interfere with aircraft navigation or communication systems.

Previously, transmitting electronic devices were not allowed to be used during take-offs and landings. They also had to be set to flight mode at all times after take-off. Passengers will still be banned from making phone calls once the plane has begun to taxi out until it has landed and exited the runway as such communications require strong signals to be sent out over great distances and may interfere with the aircraft systems.

The CAAS said the amendments are in line with recent regulatory changes made by leading aviation authorities.

Many Singapore carriers, said CAAS director-general Yap Ong Heng, are already taking steps to ascertain that there would be no interference to flight operations before they proceed with implementation.

The authority’s move followed similar decisions last year by the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency to relax rules and expand passenger use of electronic devices during flights. Both authorities allowed mobile phones set to flight mode to be used during take-off and landing.

The Republic’s flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, has welcomed the new regulations.

“More and more of our customers are now travelling with PEDs and we are pleased to have implemented this for the benefit of our customers,” said Mr Tan Pee Teck, its senior vice-president for product and services. “Safety, of course, remains our top priority, and cabin crew will ensure that travellers are advised on the safe use of PEDs in accordance with the appropriate guidelines.”

When asked about the safety measures taken, an SIA spokesperson said the airline will publish guidelines on the use of PEDs in their in-flight magazine SilverKris from next month. Other safety measures include announcements on when mobile devices can and cannot be used, and ensuring that passengers store bulky devices, including laptops and notebooks away during take-off and landing.

A SilkAir spokesperson called the new regulations a welcome development, adding that the airline is liaising with CAAS for the necessary approval to implement this in due course.

Mr Ho Yuen Sang, Tigerair’s managing director and chief operating officer, called the new regulations a step forward in keeping pace with the standards of other leading aviation authorities. Said Mr Ho: “Our customers will be the ultimate beneficiaries and we look forward to implementing the amendments as soon as practicable.”