US Bans Samsung Note 7 From All Flights

MEP: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones have been banned from all planes in the US after reports of the device catching fire, The US Department of Transportation said.

Passengers will not be able to take the phones on flights or in their luggage to and from the US from 16:00 GMT on Saturday.

The department warned that people who packed the devices in checked luggage raised the risk of “a catastrophic incident”, and passengers caught attempting to bring them on a plane could be fined or have them confiscated.

“We recognise that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.

Samsung recalled around 2.5 million phones in September after complaints of exploding batteries.