The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed airline passengers not to turn on or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones during any flight.
The director general of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, who issued the directive in Lagos, said a letter with reference NCAA/DOT/ALL OPS/VOL.1/00716 had already been sent to the airlines and all the other stakeholders for strict compliance.
Usman who further explained that the ban was consequent upon recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices however added that “these phones must not be stowed away in any checked-in baggage”
“Importantly, all airlines are hereby advised to emphasise the prohibition of this devices on board during passenger briefings by the Cabin Crew.
“Similarly, all those responsible for searching or screening checked-in baggage are expected to intensify the procedures to identify possible checked-in Samsung Galaxy Note 7,” he said.
The director general therefore called on all passengers and airline operators to ensure total adherence to the directive emphasizing that “safety and security of air transportation is paramount to the Authority.”
It would be recalled that recently, the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned passengers not to put the Galaxy Note 7 phones in their checked bags, citing “recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung” about the devices.
Recently too, Samsung ordered a global recall of the jumbo phones after its investigation of explosion reports found the rechargeable lithium batteries were at fault.
In one case, a family in St. Petersburg, Florida, reported a Galaxy Note 7 phone left charging in their Jeep caught fire, destroying the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Vietjet, an international low-cost airline from Vietnam has warned passengers not to carry the phone in the form of checked luggage.
Vietjet also recommended that the Smartphone should not be used or charged in any way on flights until further notice.
