South African Airways (SAA) has taken a decision to prohibit the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. The decision has been taken based on safety considerations in the interests of passengers, crew and property. The decision will be effective on all SAA flights from all stations globally as of Wednesday, 19 October.  



This means, the Galaxy Note 7 device is prohibited completely and may not be carried by travellers on their persons, in carry-on baggage, in checked in baggage or as cargo. 



Subsequent to the announcement by the manufacture to recall the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 regulators in various jurisdiction and countries have announced a ban on the device in respect of air transportation. The announcement by the regulators obligates SAA as an airline to implement and comply with such a ban.

   

Further SAA is enjoined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) general provisions on safety to take steps to ensure safety of its operations as and when goods and/or products have not met safety requirements. IATA’s position is stated as follows: “Lithium batteries that have been recalled by the manufacturer for safety reasons must not be shipped by air”. The Galaxy Note 7 is powered by lithium batteries and has since been recalled by the manufacturer. 



SAA apologises to all its customers for the inconvenience this decision may lead to. The airline had to align in order to maintain the safety of its operations and to mitigate risk associated with non-compliance.



The airline will accept no liability for devices that may be confiscated in the process of ensuring compliance with the prohibition. 



SAA’s general conditions of carriage still apply.