SINGAPORE, Hong Long and Australia have joined a growing list of countries to issue a blanket ban on the fire-prone Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone from all flights, even if they are switched off or checked in with luggage.
Media reports and announcements on social media confirmed directives issued by carriers like Singapore Airlines (SIA), Tigerair, Scoot, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair and HK Express, among others.
The ban follows in the footsteps of the emergency order issued Saturday by the U.S. Transportation Department, which prohibits owners from carrying the devices with them into flights or stowing them in with their checked baggage. Previously, regulators had only warned passengers against packing the phones into their luggage and urged them to power the devices off when on board any aircraft.
“We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was quoted in Reuters as saying in the latest order.
“We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”
BREAKING: @USDOT bans all Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones from airplanes https://t.co/60e7RdaBpK pic.twitter.com/41WJTqZTai
— TransportationGov (@USDOT) October 14, 2016
Those found in violation of the U.S. order will face criminal prosecution in addition to fines.
Hours after the announcement, SIA announced its ban. A notice on its Facebook page says: “In view of the ban of the Galaxy Note 7 device by the US Department of Transportation, Singapore Airlines wishes to inform customers that the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone will be prohibited from being brought on board all our flights on person, in carry-on baggage or checked-in baggage with effect from 16 October, 0000hrs (Singapore Time).”
It adds: “The smartphone also cannot be shipped as air cargo. Anyone found in possession of the device will be denied boarding. We seek our customers’ kind understanding on this matter. Thank you.”
Reports by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia said airlines in Australia and Hong Kong issued similar directives. Around the world, other airlines such as those in Canada and Germany have done the same.
SEE ALSO: South Korea: ‘Stop using Galaxy Note 7’ warns Samsung after battery explosions
SCMP quoted HK Express as saying, “The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. All Samsung Note7 mobile devices are prohibited on all HK Express flights effective immediately. Guests may not carry on or check-in these devices.”
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world’s largest phone maker, on Tuesday scrapped its flagship Galaxy Note 7 smartphone following numerous reports of the device catching fire and smoking. The decision, made less than two months after the phone’s August release, deals a huge blow to the firm’s reputation and its profit numbers.
The firm expect to chalk total losses of up to US$5.3 billion from the Galaxy Note 7 episode, according to reports.
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