TURKISH airline companies are awaiting the national civil aviation body’s decision over cell phone usage on planes after the organization’s European counterpart ruled electronic devices did not pose a safety risk. 

However, leading Turkish airlines say they are cool to the idea of permitting passengers to use electronic devices for the moment, fearing fallout from concerned passengers’ sense of safety.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced that airlines could now permit passengers to use electronic devices such as mobile phones during flights, which could also pave the way for airlines to offer wireless communication services.

EASA members consist of European member countries, so Turkey is not bound by the agency’s decisions. 

However, Turkey’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) watches EASA rulings and usually applies them to the Turkish civil aviation sector.

Turkey’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) said it currently allows passengers to use their mobile electronic devices only in “flight mode” and above around 6,600 meters.