For many air travellers, it is a familiar scene: you board a plane, settle into your seat, listen to the safety briefing, and then hear the instruction to switch off your mobile phone. While some passengers comply immediately, others continue to play games, watch videos, or send messages, often wondering why this rule exists.
The reason, according to global aviation regulations, is the potential risk that electronic devices may interfere with an aircraft’s systems — especially when the aircraft is below 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). While laptops, music players, and some other devices can be used above that altitude, mobile phones must remain switched off unless otherwise permitted by the airline. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) both prohibit the use of cellular connections in flight, though devices may be used in “airplane mode” and connected to in-flight Wi-Fi if available.
BBC reporter Katia Moskvitch explains that personal electronics can interfere with an aircraft’s avionics — the electronic systems used for navigation, communication, and monitoring. These systems rely on sensitive sensors to transmit information to the cockpit, and electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, and handheld gaming consoles emit radio waves. If these waves operate on frequencies close to those of the avionics, they can distort or corrupt signals. This interference could potentially affect radar, communications, and collision avoidance systems, particularly if a device is faulty and emits stronger-than-usual signals or if multiple devices cause combined interference.
While there has been no confirmed crash caused directly by phone interference, there are documented cases of safety issues linked to passenger devices. NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System has recorded over 50 such incidents. In one case, a first officer reported that the aircraft’s compass system malfunctioned during take-off but returned to normal after passengers were instructed to switch off their devices. Between 2003 and 2009, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) documented 75 incidents of suspected electronic interference.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) reminds passengers that using mobile phones or other communication devices without the aircraft commander’s approval is an offence. Other prohibited actions include smoking in aircraft or non-smoking terminal areas, disorderly behaviour, disobeying lawful instructions from crew or security staff, carrying weapons or dangerous items without authorisation, entering restricted areas without clearance, and tampering with safety equipment. Penalties range from moderate to maximum civil fines, with serious cases referred for criminal prosecution. Aircraft commanders and airport authorities are empowered to restrain and prosecute unruly passengers when necessary.
