Government bans Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones from airliners

To protect Canadian passengers and flight crews, Transport Canada issued a Notice to Airmen on October 14, 2016 advising airlines and air operators that Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are no longer allowed in any aircraft effective immediately.

The airline said in a statement Saturday that it imposed the ban based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's emergency order "to guarantee maximum security standards".

It added that Samsung had received 96 reports of batteries in Note 7 phones overheating in the United States, including 23 new reports since the Sept 15 recall announcement. They also banned shipping the smartphone in air cargo.

The Transportation Department warned that passengers who packed the devices in checked luggage raised the risk of "a catastrophic incident". The DOT also says anybody carrying the phone "will be denied boarding", and that anybody caught violating the ban "may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines".

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday the Note 7's battery "can overheat and catch fire, posing serious fire and burn hazard to consumers". Passengers absolutely should not pack the phones in their checked luggage.

Samsung has ceased production and global sales of the device while it investigates the reported incidents, and the company is urging consumers with an original or replacement Note 7 to power down the device and take advantage of the available remedies.

Several airlines had begun packing extra fire equipment on planes to deal with potential explosions by the phones and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. At least three USA airlines are adding new fire-suppression equipment to fleets in case a cellphone or laptop battery overheats, catches on fire and can't be extinguished.

Earlier this year, the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency that sets global aviation safety standards, banned bulk shipments of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger planes until better packaging can be developed to prevent a fire from spreading and potentially destroying the plane.