Philippine airlines have prohibited the use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in flight following the recall of the device due to safety issues.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) and low-cost carriers Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, and Air Asia Philippines have issued separate advisories banning the charging and use of the device in all flights until further notice.
Sister airlines Cebu Pacific and Cebgo on September 11 said Samsung Galaxy Note 7 mobile phones must also not be stowed in the checked baggage, but may be hand carried so long as the device is turned off inside the aircraft.
AirAsia likewise forbade the use of the mobile phone on all AirAsia and Airasia X flights. The carrier banned carrying the device in any checked baggage.
On September 12, PAL issued a similar statement of prohibition.
“Safety remains a cornerstone of PAL operations and as such, the flag carrier will be ensuring full compliance on board each flight and is seeking the full cooperation of its passengers,” PAL said in its advisory to passengers.
PAL will not accept Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones, whether used or brand new, as cargo shipment aboard its carriers.
On September 2, just a few weeks after the smartphone was launched, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced it was halting the sale of the gadget and replacing units already sold, after complaints that the device had caught fire while being charged.
Samsung said it found issues with the battery cell of some units.
The Department of Trade and Industry said Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation has announced the details for the replacement of Galaxy Note 7 units that will start on October 1.
The United States Federal Aviation Authority, European Aviation Safety Agency, Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India, and United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority as well as airlines in Australia and other Asian countries have already issued advisories against using the device in flight.
