Samsung Galaxy Note7: Don’t use but can be carried on-board
View(s):Global aviation regulators have issued a warning against the use or charging of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note7 smartphone but passengers are allowed to take it on board in their carry-on luggage SriLankan Airlines issued a statement on Thursday highlighting that it has “completely banned the use or charging of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note7 smartphone onboard all its flights with immediate effect until further notice.” The phone’s battery the airline noted was reported to have had several incidents of catching fire.
Passengers can carry the smartphone onboard as part of their carry-on luggage and not stow them in the checked-in baggage. Moreover, travelers will have to switch off the phone and remove the batteries as well before taking it onboard, officials said. The international Air Transport Association (IATA) and United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have also issued directives banning the use and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on flights.
An announcement at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) check-in counters displays a notice for travellers on precautions to be taken by owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device. It says that the device must be carried in carry-on baggage as stowing in checked-in baggage is prohibited; it should be switched off while onboard and not to be charged while onboard. Users were also advised to inform cabin crew when a device is damaged, hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure.
Due to the current situation Samsung is planning on recalling its two million Galaxy Note7 devices sold worldwide. In the meantime the company has worked on a software patch that could be sent to these devices made available from September 20 and that will limit how much users can charge the device. In China, the South Korean brand Samsung will recall 1, 858 Galaxy Note7 units acquired as test devices ahead of the official start of sales.