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Johannesburg - Samsung has set up exchange booths for the controversial Note 7 devices in airports around the world, ahead of massive fines being imposed by aviation authorities.
The Samsung Note 7 has become synonymous with numerous reports of exploding devices.
The booths had initially been set up in South Korea but Samsung has said that more booths would be opened in places such as the US.
South African Airways (SAA) on Tuesday told Fin24 that passengers could face prosecution if found in possession of a device, on board a flight.
READ: SAA warns of fines for passengers carrying Note 7
“We urge everyone to heed the call to comply in order to avoid possible complications at any point during their travel," SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali told Fin24 by phone.
"We wouldn’t like to see any passenger being inconvenienced by possible device confiscation or have fines imposed on them,” he added.
Tlali told Fin24 that passengers could face prosecution when reaching the final destination of their travel, including places such as the US and Asia.
Samsung has a team of representatives at SFO to help customers with the Note7 phone. It's banned from US flights. pic.twitter.com/2IiEcg6hsU
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) October 17, 2016
The US Federal Aviation Administration earlier issued an Emergency Restriction/Prohibition Order on the Note 7, stating that it was a federal offence to be in possession of the device on board any flight.
“Any person failing to comply with this Order is subject to civil penalties of up to USD$179 933 (R2.5m) for each violation for each day they are found to be in violation (49 U.S.C. 5123),” the order read.
“A person violating this Order may also be subject to criminal prosecution, which may result in fines under title 18, imprisonment of up to ten years, or both (49 U.S.C. 5124),” it went further to say.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) also recommended that airlines and other operators ensure that passengers and crew do not carry the device on-board, whether on their person or as check-in luggage or carry-on luggage.
