The United States is banning Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones from all airline flights starting this Saturday. The decision came about after Samsung stopped production of the Note 7 because of the possibility of exploding.
In a report by Bloomberg, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx explained that the move to ban the controversial Samsung product is aimed at the safety of all US passengers flights. Foxx further reiterated that the safety of all passengers will be prioritized over the inconvenience this ban may have on a few.
"We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all aboard an aircraft must take priority," said Foxx.
Since news of the Note 7 being a fire hazard spread was first reported, most airlines have already placed some restrictions on the use of the device. Before, Note 7 devices can be brought inside a plane in the passengers' carry-on luggage although they have to be turned off and the battery had to be empty or uncharged.
Samsung Electronics Co. recently announced that it was recalling all Note 7 phones from the market after more than a hundred incidents in which the device went up in flames. One incident happened on board a SouthWest flight and involved a replacement Note 7.
There have been a number of theories as to why the Note 7 is catching fire but nothing official has been announced yet. Koh Dong-jin, the company's mobile chief, has indicated that they "would at any cost find the exact cause to restore trust of consumers".
The Korean company has also asked those who have bought the model to turn their phone in. An estimated 1.9 million units of the Note 7 have been sold in the United States. The flight ban and an offer from Samsung may finally persuade Note 7 owners to turn in their phones.
The ban will commence at noon on Saturday.
