CAAP urges ban on using Galaxy Note 7 at airports and flights

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has urged all airlines under its watch to ban passengers from charging and using the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 within airport premises and onboard flights.

In an advisory on Monday, CAAP acting-Director General Captain Jim C. Sydiongco told carriers to advise passengers to switch off and keep the device in hand-carried luggage.

"In light of the official announcement by Samsung to recall and voluntarily replace all Galaxy Note 7 devices already sold to the public due to reported incidents of exploding and catching fire, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines strongly encourages all operators to advice passengers not to turn on or charge these devices while inside the airport premises and / or on board the aircraft," the memorandum read.

Samsung issued earlier this month a recall of all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, following reports that some of the units have ignited while in the process of charging. Some 2.5 million units of the device have been sold so far.

The company has since advised customers in 10 countries to trade their handsets for temporary replacement units until new Note 7s are released.

"Moreover, all are enjoined to require passengers not to stow these devices in any checked baggage, but instead carry these devices with them where an incident can be immediately mitigated," the CAAP said.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia have prohibited the use of the device . — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News