Poor Samsung, they just can’t take a break from the controversy surrounding their latest flagship phone.
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Korean tech giant, who’ve been hit by repeated reports of their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones blowing up unexpectedly while being charged.
Today, Singapore Airlines (SIA) became the latest carrier to ban use of the phones during flights, following an identical move by three Australian airlines.
“The powering up and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones is prohibited on all our flights,” SIA said in a statement.
Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration initiated the ban, expressing concerns over the phone’s fire-prone batteries. The FAA said on Thursday it “strongly advises” passengers to follow its guidance “in light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices.”
Samsung have since halted all sales of the Galaxy Note 7 and launched a global recall. The three telcos here —Singtel, Starhub, M1 — have stopped selling the phones, and will launch the exchange programme for all customers who bought them. Hopefully with something that doesn’t have literally explosive features.
Yesterday also saw Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd, Jetstar Airways and Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd announcing the ban on passengers from using or charging the phones in response to the recall.
Although customers will still be able to bring the phones on flights, the bans extend to the phones being plugged into flight entertainment systems where USB ports are available.
Australia’s aviation regulator said on Friday it is working with airlines and foreign aviation safety regulators “to ensure that recalled devices are treated and carried safely.”
Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington and Tom Westbrook in Sydney; Additional reporting by Jeffrey Dastin and David Shepardson; Editing by Tom Brown and Andrew Hay. Additional reporting by Coconuts Singapore.
