E-gadget ban during Chinese flights to be lifted

BEIJING - China's civil aviation authority said this week it will lift its ban on the use of portable electronic devices on aircraft, and that airlines will make the decision themselves, the China Daily reported.

A newly revised administrative rule to take effect in October said airline companies would be allowed to make their own assessments of the influence of portable electronic devices.

“The Government will give airlines the right to decide on their own," said Zhu Tao, Deputy Director of the Department of Flight Standards of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Since 1999, China's aviation authority has banned the use of any portable electronic devices on aircraft as it was thought the wireless signals from these could affect flight safety.

The change will be phased in, and passengers should check in advance with their agent or airline.

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