By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 5 days ago

MEXICO CITY — Mexico eased a ban on using cellphones on airplanes, though officials said restrictions will remain in place.

Mexico's Communications and Transportation Department announced it was lifting the eight-year-old ban Tuesday, saying improved technology makes it possible to use cellphones and other electronic equipment during some flight phases without interfering with navigation systems. Officials did not say which portions of flights.

The director of aviation at the department, Gabriel Tort, later told The Associated Press that the new measure allows "conditioned" and not indiscriminate use of cellphones on flights.

He said that cellphone use will depend on whether it affects the equipment on the planes and that the captain will make the decision to announce whether they can be used during certain stages of the flight.

For example, Tort said, using cellphones could be allowed after the plane touches ground. Previously, Mexico had only allowed passengers to use phones when the plane arrived at the terminal and opened its doors.



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