Samsung grounded as Qantas and Virgin ban Galaxy Note7
- 16 October, 2016 11:14
Qantas and Virgin airlines have banned Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices on all Australian flights, citing potential fire risks following a global recall.
Effective Sunday October 16, the blanket ban stands to impact Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin and TigerAir passengers across the country.
Following a recall of over 50,000 devices in Australia in September, the tech giant finally succumbed to worldwide pressure last week, announcing the discontinuation of its flagship smartphone.
With reports of overheating, smoke and fire increasing, a host of airlines across the world have moved to ban the Note7 from all flights, with passengers unable to carry the device in hand luggage or through checked baggage.
“This is due to concerns regarding potential fire risk from the device’s battery after a number of incidents worldwide and follows a ban put in place by regulators overseas,” a Qantas spokesperson stated.
“The ban applies to devices being carried onto the aircraft, in carry-on baggage as well as check-in luggage. Other Samsung devices are not affected.”
The ban is updated from previous airline advice, which allowed carriage of the device provided it was turned off.
“The use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices is currently prohibited on all Virgin Australia and Tigerair Australia flights and the complete ban announced today is an additional safety measure,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson added.
Across the Tasman, Air New Zealand has also issued a blanket ban on the device, joining fellow international airlines Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Alitalia, alongside all US airlines.
Early indications suggest the fallout from the Note7 debacle - which is expected to take a big chunk out of Samsung’s third-quarter profit - will keep hurting its business into next year.
As reported by ARN, the fourth-quarter impact on the vendor’s operating profit will be "in the mid-2 trillion won range," which equates to around $US2.2 billion.
The damage will continue in the first quarter of next year, with an impact of about 1 trillion won, Samsung added.
