India’s civil aviation regulator on Friday lifted the restrictions on in-flight use of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone — but only those purchased after September 15.
On September 9, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had prohibited the use of the high-end smartphone on-board aircraft.
The DGCA said the usage restrictions have only been lifted for mobile phones purchased after September 15. Restrictions still continue for Note 7s purchased before that date.
The select type of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone allowed to be used on-board have a green battery charge indication on their screen, the DGCA said in a Public Notice issued on Wednesday.
A Samsung India Spokesperson said: “It is important to note that Samsung has not sold a single unit of Galaxy Note7 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.”
The DGCA notice said: “In the light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, travelling public and airlines are advised to ensure the following in respect of Samsung Note 7 purchased before 15th September 2016 which have been recalled by Samsung and have white battery charge indication on their screen.”
In the public notice, the regulator advised travellers and the airlines to ensure that the communication device is not turned on or its battery charged on-board the aircraft.
The notice further detailed that the smartphone should not be stowed away in any checked-in baggage. However, the smartphone can be carried in a switched off mode in hand-baggage.
Civil aviation regulatory and safety authorities around the world and several airlines have issued warning not to charge or switch on Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on-board aircraft.
Samsung has recalled its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone over battery overheating issues globally.
On September 23, the civil aviation regulator had summoned officials from Samsung India Electronics for questioning after one of the company’s smartphones — the Samsung Note 2 — emitted smoke on-board an IndiGo flight causing panic.
“We recognise the inconvenience this has caused to customers, flyers and airline authorities, and remain committed towards customer safety,” the Samsung spokesman said.
