Total ban on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 by Qantas and Jetstar

Malaysian should be advised that a total ban has been imposed on Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on all Qantas and Jetstar flights from Oct 16, 2016.

Customers are advised that the carriage of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices on-board is prohibited on all flights effective 12:01am, Sunday, said Jetstar in a statement issued here Saturday.

"This is due to concerns regarding potential fire risk from the device's battery after a number of incidents worldwide and following a ban put in place by regulators overseas," it said.

Jetstar said 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," it said.

Jetstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne.

Qantas, through the Jetstar Group, also has stakes in sister airlines such as Jetstar Asia Airways, a low-cost airline based in Singapore.

Jetstar Asia is flying to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

The statement is an updated advice from the previous Qantas Group policy, which allowed carriage of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 provided it is turned off.

"This restriction has now been broadened to a total ban," said Jetstar. -- Bernama