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Johannesburg - Passengers who carry the controversial 'exploding' Samsung Note 7 on a South African Airways (SAA) flight could face fines by regulators amid the banning of the device on several airlines.
The warning from SAA comes a week after the Note 7 device was killed off by Samsung amid explosion reports.
“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.
READ: Samsung SA confirms Note 7 is dead
“The decision has been taken based on safety considerations in the interests of passengers, crew and property and will be effective on all SAA flights from all stations globally as from Wednesday, 19 October,” Tlali said.
Although the device has not officially launched in the country, scores of reports of exploding Note 7s surfaced in the US and Asia, wiping out about $17bn of Samsung’s market value.
The ban by SAA means that the Galaxy Note 7 device is “prohibited completely and may not be carried by travellers on their persons, in carry-on baggage, in checked in baggage or as cargo”.
READ: SAA bans charging of 'exploding' Samsung Note 7
“Their ability to get in touch with their families or friends may be disrupted while they are away on travel," said Tlai.
“Equally, those who travel on business may also be inconvenienced significantly. In any event, compliance is meant to tick the most important box - their safety. And that should be the biggest incentive,” Tlali went further to say.
Meanwhile, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) 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.
