Airline passengers who try to carry Samsung Note 7 smartphones on flights will have them confiscated and may face fines under an emergency US order that significantly expands restrictions on the devices linked to almost 100 incidents of overheating and fires.
The devices won't be allowed aboard passenger or cargo aircraft even if they've been shut off, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday. From Saturday, flight restrictions will be extended to each of the 1.9 million Note 7s sold in the US.
"We recognise that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.
"We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident in flight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."
Samsung said on Tuesday it was halting production and sales of the device following the latest spate of smoke, overheating and fire incidents in what was supposed to be a version that replaced a faulty lithium-ion battery with a safe one. The company estimates the crisis will cost it $5.3 billion in profits.
The government urged passengers not to side-step the order.
"Passengers who attempt to evade the ban by packing their phone in checked luggage are increasing the risk of a catastrophic incident," authorities said in a release.
"Anyone violating the ban may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines."
Bloomberg