Israel's Ministry of Transport and Road Safety said that Israel is to follow Europe's and the U.S.'s path, and will soon permit to play, watch movies, listen to music and even use WhatsApp – also during take-off and landing. Phone calls and text messages are still prohibited.
Users will be able to do work on tablets and other devices, including cellphones that are set to “airplane mode,” and are not connected to a cell network.
Under a year ago, the American Federal Aviation Administration announced that electronic devices can be used during the entire duration of the flight, including take-off and landing.
Over the weekend, the European Flight Authority also approved the decision and today it is safe to say that we will be seeing this change in Israel soon.
The Civil Aviation Authority which is responsible for the matter announced that from now on every flight company is entitled to do as it wishes, in accordance with the American Aviation Administration's decision.
The Israeli airlines – El Al, Arkia and Israir – will have to decide in the coming days whether to accept the Ministry of Transport's recommendation and allow their passengers to use electronic devices on the plane. In accordance with the new regulation, they will have to conduct preliminary tests to ensure that the aircraft systems are not affected by electrical and magnetic signals.
