Dubai: Etihad Airways and Emirates have completely banned the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from being carried on their flights.
Earlier in September, Etihad, Emirates and flydubai issued statements about enforcing only a temporary ban on the in-flight use and battery charging of these devices on their flights, but now passengers cannot even bring them on board.
Through their Twitter account on Sunday, Etihad Airways requested passengers to not carry the phone in their checked-in baggage or in cabin baggage.
In a series of tweets warning owners of the Note 7, the airlines said that “In the wake of the global recall of the smartphone, we have enforced a total ban on these devices on our flights.”
“These devices have been installed with faulty lithium batteries, which could present a risk of combustion and fire”
They also apologised for any inconvenience that was caused. “The safety and security of our passengers and staff is a priority and is of utmost importance.”
Emirates also issued a statement saying they have prohibited the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from their flights.
“As advised by various aviation regulatory bodies, Emirates can confirm that all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are prohibited from all Emirates’ flights, including being brought on board in person, as well as in carry-on or checked-in baggage, with immediate effect. Emirates apologises for the inconvenience caused, however the safety of our customers and crew is of utmost priority,” a spokesperson told Gulf News.
On October 11, Samsung Electronics said that it is ending production of Galaxy Note 7 smartphones permanently, which was a day after it halted global sales of the star-crossed devices.
The South Korean company said in a regulatory filing that it decided to stop manufacturing Note 7s for the sake of consumer safety and that it had identified a manufacturing defect in the batteries of its top-of-the-line smartphone.
