A
lawsuit aiming to overturn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
rule change concerning the use of electronic devices by passengers at all stages of flight has been stopped. An appeals court in Washington D.C.
ruled that the FAA was well within its rights to make such rule changes, effectively ending the legal action prompted by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA).
The AFA claimed the FAA did not ask the public about the changes before they were put into force, nor did it request for comments beforehand. It is also claimed by the attendants that the devices would distract passengers from pre-flight announcements, making them under-equipped for an emergency, as well as the potential for smartphones and tablets to turn into projectiles during turbulence and other major scenarios.
The court found that the FAA had the authority to make the changes,
reports Ars Technica, and was right in determining it could allow or deny the use of smartphones, tablets, and other personal electronic devices at various stages of flight.
In its findings, the court advises "It really does not matter whether (the notice of the rule change) is viewed as a policy statement or an interpretive rule. The main point is that the Notice is not a legislative rule carrying the 'force and effect of law." Since the notice doesn't "determine any rights or obligations, or produce legal consequences, it does not reflect 'final action' by the FAA," with the court advising it "has no jurisdiction to consider AFA's challenge."