Mobiles OK for use on flights

Starting on Thursday, passengers on China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines can use their mobile phones during flights, as the Civil Aviation Administration of China has loosened the restrictions on in-flight portable electronic devices.

According to a notice issued by the CAAC on Tuesday, airliners can now make their own rules for passenger use of electronic devices and apply for approval from the CAAC.

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines announced on Wednesday that its passengers will be able to use their smartphones, pads, laptops and other portable electronic devices during the flights starting on Thursday, but the phones have to be switched to airplane mode.