Aircraft passengers could be allowed to use their mobile phones throughout flights, following new guidance from a European watchdog.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has offered new guidance which allows airlines to change their own rules and allow mobile phones to be used during take off and landing.
Currently airline passengers have to switch devices to flight mode while in the air.
The agency sets the framework for airlines making safety decisions.
It says it will be up to each airline to decide whether or not to allow the use of phones on board and each company will have to go through its own assessment process to ensure that their aircraft systems are not affected in any way by the transmission signals.
Once airlines have completed this safety assessment they will have to install additional equipment in order to provide customers with a signal because mobile phone transmitters cannot be reached from the high cruising altitudes that modern airliners reach.
As a result there could be a delay in implementing the new rules at some airlines.
It also says that airlines may opt for different policies on the use of mobile devices.
