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.





Two major airlines in China, China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines, have announced that passengers on their flights can use their mobile phones during flights from Jan 18th.





Currently, many other airlines are evaluating making the change. “Spring Airlines will complete an evaluation as soon as possible, and passengers are expected to be able to use their electronic devices, including mobile phones, in the first half of this year," says Spring Airlines spokesman Zhang Wu'an.





The Mobile restriction, put in place by the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1993, prohibited the use of in-flight portable electronic devices. Other countries quickly borrowed that policy. In 2013, the FAA loosened restrictions on portable electronic devices during flights but the Civil Aviation Administration of China hasn't followed suit until now. Mobile phones are not banned on many international airlines, but due to Chinese policy, passengers still had to turn them off while flying in China.





Despite the general lift, there are still restrictions in place to note:





1. Only portable electronic devices with built-in "Flight Mode" can be used

2. PC or tablets (W+H+D>31 cm) only can used during the flight but not during taxing, taking off or touching down.

3. During taxing, taking off and touching down, passengers are not allowed to insert earphones or charge above said devices.





References:

国内飞机上不能用手机成历史海航东航宣布解禁

Mobiles OK for use on flights

关于东航机上便携式电子设备使用规范的公告