Phl flight passengers can now use laptops, mobile phones while on board

MANILA, Philippines - The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is now allowing airline passengers to use their laptops, mobile phones and devices during flights.

The agency has released memorandum circular 52-13 which lets the conditional use of transmitting portable electronic devices (TPEDs), music players, and global system for mobile communication on-board aircraft (GSMOBA) on all commercial aircraft operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines.

According to the memorandum, airline passengers may use their laptops and cellular phones, internet or short-message-service (SMS) or voice communications and other broadband services during flights provided that they meet the conditions set by the CAAP.

The memorandum states that when the aircraft doors are still open, the devices can be used unless the pilot-in-command or the senior cabin announce a prohibition.

But when the aircraft is refuelling, the use of laptops, mobile phones and broadband communications will not be allowed.

"In this instance, all transmitting portable electronice devices must be turned-off," the memorandum said.

When the aircraft doors are closed, the devices should be placed on silent mode and could only be used for SMS, internet, or games.

Voice communications are not allowed when the aircraft doors are closed except the use of GSMOBA if it does not interfere with the orderly conduct of flight.

The use of MP3s should always be with earphones and not with additional or separate speaker and or amplifiers, the memorandum also said.

The memorandum shall take effect 15 days after after compliance with the single publication in a newspaper of general circulation and a copy filed with the UP Law Center-Office of the Administrative Register in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Twenty days after the publication of the memorandum, all Philippine registered commercial airlines or operators shall submit for CAAP approval the page or pages of the revised "operation manual" containing the procedures and guidelines including restrictions in the implementation of the memorandum.