The Philippines' aviation regulator has announced a new policy regarding laptops, cellular phones, and power banks, detailing how to properly secure them for safety on board the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is working with both local and foreign airlines to educate passengers on the proper way to transport hazardous items in a carry-on bag stored in the overhead compartment of the aircraft.
The recent changes in aviation safety rules were put into effect following a fire incident that occurred on an Air Busan plane at Gimhae International Airport on February 28, which was said to have been started by a power bank.
The CAAP said laptops, cellular phones, and power banks "will no longer be allowed to be placed in hand-carry bags, it will be allowed only 'hand holding' during the entire flight so that airline cabin crew will not have a hard time locating the said gadget if something happened."
The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also announced on March 1, that passengers must keep their portable batteries and chargers on their person instead of storing them in overhead bins while boarding flights.
Power banks and chargers, as well as e-cigarettes, will still be allowed in carry-on luggage but strictly prohibited in checked baggage.
However, CAAP said, strict capacity limits for power banks will be enforced.
Under the CAAP regulations, it allows the use of transmitting portable electronic devices especially laptops and cellular phones including MP3 and GSM Onboard Aircraft (GSMOBA), on a conditional basis, on all commercial aircraft operating within or en route over territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines.
CAAP explained that when aircraft doors are still open, use of laptops and cellular phones may be used. Internet or short message-service (SMS) or voice communication, unless the pilot-in-command announced on the public address system its prohibition.
Also, all transmitting portable electronic devices such as laptops using broadband communications and cellular phones must be turned off when the aircraft is refueling.
When the aircraft doors are closed, transmitting portable electronic devices must be on silent mode, maybe used only for short message service or the Internet.
Voice communications are not allowed except the use of GSM Onboard Aircraft provided its use does not interfere with orderly conduct of flight.
Games on electronic devices on silent mode may be played.
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