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Gurgaon, 28th April, 2014: In light of the recent changes in DGCA
regulations regarding the use of mobile phones and personal electronic devices (PEDs)
during flight, SpiceJet will allow the use of mobile phones and PEDs that have "Flight"
or "Airplane" mode during the flight, starting today.
The phones and devices must be put into Flight mode and then switched off prior
to takeoff, and cabin crew will inform passengers when it is safe to use the devices
once airborne.
With this move, SpiceJet becomes the first airline in India to implement the DGCA's
recently amended regulation regarding use of phones inflight. Previously phones
and other devices were required to be completely switched off during the flight.
However, as of now the use of phones and PEDs on SpiceJet flights will be prohibited
during take-off/landing even in Flight mode, and can be used only above 10,000 feet.
This is primarily because landing and take-off phases require additional aircraft-related
certifications which require time to complete, and in addition SpiceJet is reviewing
all of the implications of allowing the usage during these stages of flight.
It should be noted that Flight mode disables the phone's transmission functionality,
so phones will not be used to make calls or use any other transmission - related
functionality during the flight.
"We are very pleased to be the first airline in India to implement this customer-friendly
enhancement," said Mr Sanjiv Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer, SpiceJet Ltd.
"Our customers can now use their smart phones during the flight to watch movies,
listen to music, read books, read and compose emails and other documents, and use
their phone cameras (where permitted), like customers already do inflight in many
other parts of the world. We congratulate and thank the DGCA for making this very
timely and customer friendly enhancement to the regulations in line with global
practices," he added.
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