Japan bans Galaxy Note 7 on airplanes over fire risk

Japan's transport ministry had earlier issued a warning urging passengers to keep their handsets switched off on aircraft

Japan has barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from airplanes, mirroring moves by US regulators and a string of carriers that banned the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.

The weekend announcement from Japan's transport ministry follows an earlier warning that asked airlines to urge passengers not to turn on or charge the smartphones on aircraft.

But aviation authorities went a step further on Saturday, ordering airlines to ban the devices completely, a transport ministry official said.

The South Korean electronics giant has recalled all Note 7 phones, including replacements, following reports of exploding batteries and fires, which have led to numerous injuries. Samsung has also stopped producing the flagship handset.

 

Japan's move came after US transport authorities on Friday issued an emergency order banning the phones and saying anyone attempting to travel with the recalled handsets may face fines and have their devices confiscated.

It was not immediately clear what sort of penalties passengers on the country's biggest carriers- All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines (JAL)- could face if they were found with the phone.

JAL spokesman Takuya Shimoguchi said customers could choose to board planes without their Note 7 phone or the airline would confiscate it.

But "there have been no clear instructions on punitive measures", added Shimoguchi before sharing they would act "on a case-by-case basis".

Korean Air follows government guidelines requiring Note 7s to be turned off in-flight and only transported in carry-on luggage. But it operates a total ban on flights to-and-from the US, Canada and Hong Kong.

South Korea's Asiana has banned Note 7s from all flights today.

Australian and New Zealand airlines have banned the phone from all planes.

Almost all mainland Chinese airlines have also banned it, while at the weekend Hong Kong's international airport prohibited passengers from carrying the device on any incoming or outgoing flights, either in checked or carry-on baggage.

The southern Chinese city's flagship carrier Cathay Pacific and its low-cost offshoot Dragonair had also said passengers were no longer allowed to carry the devices on any of their flights.

They were joined by budget carriers Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express.

Singapore Airlines and Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Air have also banned the smartphones.