Airline ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 widens as concern grows about fire risk

2016-10-17 10:19:20 alice 5

Airline ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 widens as concern grows about fire risk

More airlines announce ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7
More airlines announce ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7

The airline ban on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is widening following reports of some of the phones catching fire.

Within a day of the US authorities banning the device on all internal and international flights from its airports, several carries announced that they would not allow the phone on board.

They included Qantas and its discount carrier, Jetstar. The Australian airline said:  "The ban applies to devices being carried onto the aircraft, in carry-on baggage as well as check-in luggage.”


Samsung Electronics Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are displayed at its shop in Seoul, South Korea
Samsung Electronics Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are displayed at its shop in Seoul, South Korea CREDIT: LI-JIN MAN/AP

A similar ban has been imposed by Virgin Australia, which has urged passengers to leave the phones at home. 

Other carriers to impose a ban Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, which said the device will be banned from carry-on and checked in luggage.

In Europe, Air Berlin has imposed a ban and Lufthansa, the German flag carrier, is expected to impose a ban shortly.

The phone has also been banned by Singapore airlines and a number of other carriers are expected to follow suit.

Last month the European Aviation Safety Agency advised passengers and crew members to keep the phone switched off during flights.

The debacle surrounding Samsung Galaxy Note 7Play!01:02

In Britain, the Civil Aviation Authority has advised passengers who have the phone to keep it in their hand baggage to ensure it is switched off.

It is understood the CAA will reevaluate its position in light of the decisions in the United States and elsewhere.

Samsung recalled 2.5 million phones last month and some of the replacement devices were also reported to have caught fire.

Last week the Korean company announced it was ceasing production of the devices.