Kim Hong-Ji—AFP
Airline’s decision follows reports of exploding batteries in smartphone device causing fires.
Turkey’s flagship carrier Turkish Airlines on Friday said it has banned Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from all of its flights with immediate effect after reports of fire risk.
“Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices can no longer be transported on person, in carry-on baggage, in checked bags or as air cargo on all Turkish Airlines flights with immediate effect,” the company said in a warning note to passengers on its website.
The airline did not detail the reasons for the ban, but it comes after reports of exploding batteries and fires, which have led to numerous injuries. That prompted the South Korean electronics giant to recall all Note 7 phones, including replacements. Samsung has also stopped producing the flagship handset.
German carrier Lufthansa had announced on Tuesday its ban on Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from all of its flights. Japan this month said it barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from airplanes, following moves by U.S. regulators and a string of carriers that banned the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.