Airlines in India Partially Lift Ban on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7

The company has been under the spotlight over the ‘explosive’ nature of their latest flagship Note device.

Samsung finally catches a break with the Galaxy Note 7. (Photo: The Quint)

Some relief for Samsung in India as the aviation regulator DGCA has partially lifted the ban on the use of its Galaxy Note 7 on flights in the country. This means you won’t be hearing the airline staff asking travellers with the Galaxy Note 7 to turn off their device, if you have the latest version of the device.

The ban remains for those Galaxy Note 7s manufactured before 15 September, which has seen battery overheating, and have a white battery charge indication on the screen.

On 9 September, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) prohibited the use of Galaxy Note 7 on board flights and in check-in baggage following a series of incidents of the smartphone's battery exploding in various countries.

The restrictions do not apply to "Samsung Galaxy Note 7 purchased after 15 September 2016, which have green battery charge indication on their screen," DGCA said in a notice.

In a statement, Samsung said customers can identify the new Galaxy Note 7 by the green battery icon. Devices displaying this visual icon are safe to charge and use during the flight, it added.

It is important to note that Samsung has not sold a single unit of Galaxy Note 7 in India so far. The ‘green battery icon’ will apply to all Galaxy Note 7 units that will be sold to customers in India when it is launched.

Samsung India statement

According to the latest DGCA notice, Samsung has recalled Galaxy Note 7 sold before 15 September that have white battery charge indication on their screens.

Samsung recalled its Galaxy Note 7 devices after finding some of their batteries exploding or catching fire.

(With agency inputs.)