India, US ban use of Galaxy Note 7 on flights

Aviation regulators in India and the US on Friday asked fliers not to use Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on board a flight amid fears that the battery could explode or catch fire. Fliers have also been told to carry these phones in their hand baggage and to ensure that the phone is switched off at all times.

The near identical warnings from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US came within days of the mobile manufacturer recalling the device after users complained about the battery exploding or catching fire.

In its public notice on “prohibition on use/carriage of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phone on board an aircraft”, the DGCA said the measures have been taken in light of recent incidents involving the battery of the device



globally and to ensure safety of aircraft operations and its occupants.

The notice asked fliers “not to turn on or charge Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phone on board the aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage”.  The US agency’s notice stated, “In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board an aircraft and not to stow them in any checked-in baggage.”

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways have already barred fliers from using these phones on flight. Last week, Samsung ordered a global recall of these phones after findings revealed that the rechargeable lithium batteries were faulty and causing fires.