Domestic Airline operators in the country have welcomed the ban of the use of Samsung Galaxy note 7 on all airlines operating in Ghana.
The operators pressed for the ban to remain until the manufacturer of the device assures that the phone is safe to use on planes.
Speaking to Citi Business News the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Starbow Airlines James Eric Antwi urged all aviation stakeholders to be vigilant to ensure that passengers do not stow the device in any checked baggage.
“We have seen videos of the damage the phone has done. So as an airline we will also check to be sure that it’s not used on our airline but the managers of the airport also have to further tightened security at the airport to ensure that no one even stows it in their baggage,” he stressed.
Describing the device as fire hazard, Mr. Antwi maintained that it is pertinent to protect the lives of passengers in the aviation industry to avert panic.
“With what has been happening recently it’s a fire hazard and it should not be allowed on the flight as the safety of the passengers and crew must be paramount,” he said.
He said that until the manufacturer comes out and certify that the phone is safe to use, it is in the remit of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to ban all Samsung Galaxy note 7 on flights.
GCAA bans Samsung Galaxy note 7
The GCAA on Monday placed a partial ban on the use of Samsung Galaxy note 7 on all airlines operating in Ghana.
According to the GCAA, the ban follows recent safety reports on the use of Samsung Galaxy note 7 phones.
Samsung recalls Galaxy note 7
Phone manufacturer, Samsung recently recalled over 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices due to several reported cases of overheating or outright explosions during charging.
The GCAA joins several other aviation regulators across the world that is also caring out similar moves, against the use of the phone on board airlines.
Per the ban, all airline passengers as well as crew in possession of a Galaxy Note 7, cannot travel with the phone from Ghana and are prohibited from carying the device, while passengers coming from other countries to Ghana cannot turn on the device or charge them on board an aircraft.
Passengers and crew are also prohibited from stowing these devices in any checked baggage, even when turned off’.
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By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
