WASHINGTON (December 12, 2013) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee who previously called for commonsense rules that would restrict phone calls on airplanes as part of an expansion of mobile device use in airplanes, today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission proceeded with a rulemaking process on the matter, and the Department of Transportation said they would work to disallow phone calls on planes:

“Phone calls in constricted cabins could create some unfriendly skies. People should be able to text, tweet, and take selfies if they want to, but the airplane mode for cell phones should not include phone calls. 

“As the FCC and Department of Transportation set these new rules, they should listen to the outcry from consumers, airlines, and the flight attendants and pilots who keep us safe in the skies against allowing cell phone calls on planes.”