No more stowing of electronic devices during takeoff and landing, says Raitt

OTTAWA – The directive to ‘please turn off your portable electronic devices’ is becoming a thing of the past for Canadian air travellers.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt says regulations are being changed to permit the use of video games, tablets, computers and cameras at any time during a flight, including during takeoff and landing.

Travellers using electronic devices will, however, still have to make sure their devices aren’t transmitting a signal.

Raitt says the move is intended to strike a better balance between safety and passenger comfort.

Under the regulation exemption, airlines will also have to show that their aircraft are not affected by the devices and that passengers can still be made aware of crew instructions during emergencies.

Last year, the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority lifted its ban on the use of portable electronic devices under safe flying conditions.

Shortly afterward, all major U.S. airlines began allowing “gate-to-gate” use of devices and the European Aviation Safety Agency quickly followed suit.

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