Philippines allows mobile phone use on planes

Passengers will be allowed to use mobile phones and internet-enabled devices during flights in the Philippines, aviation authorities said Tuesday according to dpa. The Civil Aviation Authority said the new directive allowing the use of "transmitting portable electronic devices" was effective immediately. Under the directive, mobile devices may be used without restrictions inside the aircraft when the doors are still open, and on silent mode once the doors are closed for texting or internet browsing. "Voice communications are not allowed," the directive added. In the past, passengers have been asked to turn off all electronic devices once inside the plane. The use of the electronic devices during take-off and landing is no longer banned, added Captain John Andrews, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority, but "airlines will have to issue their own policies if they will allow the use of the devices" at these times, he explained. The agency said the change in policy reflects an October 31 move by the US Federal Aviation Administration that allowed airlines to expand the use of electronic devices during flights.