Air passengers should no longer be asked to switch off their smartphones, tablets and e-readers while on a plane as long as the apparatus is put on ‘flight mode’, according to the EU’s Aviation Safety Agency.

Updating its guidelines, the agency concluded there was no risk to safety if they were in a non-transmitting mode.

Airlines are changing their policy to allow passengers to use devices from gate to gate.

Currently, they have to be off during taxiing, take-off and landing. The European Commission has asked the agency to accelerate its safety review using electronic devices on board in transmitting mode, with guidance expected to be published early next year.

Following the agency’s green light, it is up to every airline to update their operating rules.

Using devices in transmission mode will still be prohibited aboard planes for now.