In-flight mobile phone use cleared in Europe

Mobile phone use on flights has been cleared by the European Aviation Safety Agency but none are currently operating on UK aircrafts, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Richard Taylor, press officer at the CAA, said the use of technology on aeroplanes was subject to "strict controls", such as being banned during take-off and landing, in measures which are monitored by aviation safety bodies.

"The use of mobile phones on aircraft are particularly restricted because of the affects they can have on air navigation and radar systems," he added.

Mr Taylor said that experiments with mobile phone systems that will not affect navigation and radar are being monitored in the EU by the European Aviation Safety Agency.

Ryanair recently announced it is planning to fit 14 of its 166 aircraft with miniature mobile phone masts to enable passengers to make and receive calls and texts, and emails via Blackberries and similar devices.

The CAA leaflet Travelling Safely states that unless an airplane is equipped for calling and text messaging during flight, mobile phones must not be used at any stage of the flight and must be switched off.