Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority bans boarding planes with Samsung Galaxy Note 7

As part of measures to ensure safety of aviation passengers and airport users, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed passengers not to turn on or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices while aboard any plane.

A statement by Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, said that the action was necessary following recent incidents and concerns raised by manufacturers of the product.

The agency warned passengers not to keep the phones in any checked-in baggage.

“NCAA is appealing to the passengers’ responsibilities in relation to ensuring safety and security of air transportation.

“Importantly, all airlines are hereby advised to emphasise the prohibition of these 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.”

The NCAA reminded travellers that Samsung had recalled over 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices due to several reported cases of over-heating and outright explosion.

According to the statement, investigations traced these problems to charging, and the company was limiting battery charging on Galaxy Note 7 devices to prevent inferno.

“NCAA therefore, calls on all passengers and airline operators to ensure total adherence to this directive as safety and security of air transportation is paramount to the authority.”

The nation’s regulatory body said it had also sent a letter with reference NCAA/DOT/ALL OPS/VOL.1/00716 to all airlines and all other stakeholders for strict compliance.

Similarly, NEWSVERGE recalled that the Civil aviation authorities in the Emirates have banned the use of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 on all its national carriers because of the risk of batteries exploding in the “phablet” smartphone.

According to the statement from the airline, “The General Civil Aviation Authority has banned operating, charging and carrying in bags the Samsung Note 7 on board national carriers’ flights.”

In the same vein, Dubai’s Emirates Airline, the largest Middle East carrier, said it will comply “immediately” with the instruction from civil aviation.

“This measure is to avoid the possibility of these devices’ batteries causing fires,” it said.

Another carrier in the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has already temporarily banned the use of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on board its flights, and the UAE also has two low-cost airlines, fly Dubai and Air Arabia.

Singapore Airlines, Australia’s Qantas, and Virgin Australia have announced similar bans.

Also, US and Japanese aviation authorities have urged passengers not to turn on or charge the large-screen phones on aircraft, while the US Federal Aviation Administration has told passengers not to stow the device in checked baggage.

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