Internet access permitted on board domestic flights 

The government has allowed access to internet services by passengers on board domestic flights, subject to permission from the pilot in command. Recently, rules governing extension of Wi-Fi services on-board have been notified. The pilot in command may permit access to internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board when gadgets, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers and point-of-sale devices are in airplane mode. The newly introduced rules further state that the pilot may permit the use of cell phones by passengers after the aircraft has landed and cleared the active runway, except when the landing takes place in low visibility conditions (as may be determined by the director general). An additional explanation has been given in the new rules which states that an aircraft shall be deemed to be “in flight” when all its external doors are closed following embarkation until the moment when any such door is opened for disembarkation.