Sydney: Australian carriers Qantas and Virgin Australia told customers today not to use or charge Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 during flights after faulty batteries in the new smartphone caused some handsets to explode.
Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, said last week it was suspending sales of its latest flagship mobile device and recalling 2.5 million units shipped globally following reports of exploding "phablets" that dealt a heavy blow to the firm's reputation.
"Following Samsung Australia's recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them inflight," a Qantas spokesman said in a statement.
The request applies to domestic and international flights as well as Qantas' discount carrier Jetstar, the spokesman added.
Qantas' domestic competitor Virgin Australia issued a similar statement, adding that it was making on-board announcements ahead of departures.
In 2014, Qantas and Virgin Australia allowed passengers to use mobile electronic devices in-flight with limited restrictions after a relaxation of the rules by the country's aviation authority.
Previous regulations banned their use during taxiing, take-off and landing due to fears they could interfere with the plane's navigation equipment.
Samsung's recall - the first for one of the South Korean electronics giant's top of the range phones - came a week before arch-rival Apple unveiled its iPhone 7 on Wednesday.
Samsung's mobile business chief Koh Dong-Jin had said the faulty rate amounted to 24 handsets per each million sold and that it would take about two weeks to prepare replacements.
Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, said last week it was suspending sales of its latest flagship mobile device and recalling 2.5 million units shipped globally following reports of exploding "phablets" that dealt a heavy blow to the firm's reputation.
"Following Samsung Australia's recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Personal Electronic Device (PED), we are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them inflight," a Qantas spokesman said in a statement.
Qantas' domestic competitor Virgin Australia issued a similar statement, adding that it was making on-board announcements ahead of departures.
Advertisement
Previous regulations banned their use during taxiing, take-off and landing due to fears they could interfere with the plane's navigation equipment.
Advertisement
Samsung's mobile business chief Koh Dong-Jin had said the faulty rate amounted to 24 handsets per each million sold and that it would take about two weeks to prepare replacements.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Samsung Rolls Out Circle to Search Feature to Galaxy A Series Phones and Galaxy Tab S9 FE Series Smartphone Shipments in India Grew 7 Percent YoY in H1 2024: IDC Report Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy A16 Launch Timeline Tipped: May Debut Later This Fall Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool "Took Advantage Of His Addiction": 5 Charged Over Matthew Perry's Death Ukraine, Russia Both Claim Advances In Kursk Region Gaza Ceasefire Talks Underway In Qatar As Deaths Top 40,000 Trump To Hold Press Conference, His Campaign Adds Senior Advisers Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.