Tired of having to endure the horror of reading a book or even worse, interacting with another human being on Chinese flights. You're in luck; China's aviation authority has pledged to lift the ban on Smartphone and tablet usage during flights, and permit individual airlines to formulate their own policies regarding the use of portable electronic devices.
This means the airline will get to decide whether or not you're allowed to use your smartphones during flights, and if they need to be in airplane mode -- the same as in the US.
Old Rules In China
The aviation rules were revised for the fourth time in April last year, and existing rules ban passengers from switching on or operating PEDs during flights.
Current regulations bar passengers from using smartphones, intercoms, remote-control toys and other devices with radio transmitters on flights. Those who violate these rules are subject to fines of up to 50,000RMB and even arrest.
Some devices such as laptops cannot be used during take-off or landing, according to the existing regulations.
I believe that in the near future, you will see China’s airline companies allowing the use of relevant portable electronic devices, said deputy director of the CAAC.
China’s Airline Companies
But don't whip out your phone on your next cross-China flight.
Shanghai's Spring Airlines announced yesterday that it would permit smartphone usage starting next year.
Others like China Eastern and China Southern have declined to comment on the new policy.
Air China reportedly hasn't even been informed of it.
Keep Up with the World
Many airlines around the world, such as Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific, allow the use of smaller electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets.
In 2013, both the US and European Union’s aviation regulatory bodies changed their policies to relax regulations barring the use of electronic devices on flights.
Individual airlines in the US are free to use discretion in making their own PED policies, such as requiring smartphones to be placed in “airplane” mode, or a non-cellular transmitting mode.
All the country’s major carriers allow some usage of electronic devices.
Other Changes
In addition to relaxing rules on electronic devices, the changes are also designed to improve safety with measures that include addressing airline crew members’ fatigue risks and qualifications as well as improving management training.
Other changes include an extended age limit for pilots, reduced flight time for cabin crew members and new fuel policies.
All carriers will need to implement these new changes by the end of 2019.
Source:
SHEX/SCMP
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