WeChat coming soon on flights

Millions of fliers in China may soon see their wish come true: Authorities are considering lifting restrictions on the use of mobile phones on planes, paving the way for wider in-flight connectivity that is now available only in developed markets.

Legislation to amend regulations that limit the use of electronic devices on board is underway and the norms are expected to be relaxed by the end of this year or early 2017, said Zhu Tao, director of the air transportation division at the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The changes follow revised safety standards issued about three years ago by regulators in the United States and Europe.

The amendment, if approved, will enable passengers to surf the internet, use applications such as WeChat, and shop online at cruising altitudes with smartphones, the most preferred device for web browsing in the world's most populous nation.