In response to reports of explosive battery malfunctions in Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a statement advising airplane passengers not to use, or even pack the smartphones during air travel.

"In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices," the statement reads, "the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage."


The announcement comes after Samsung suspended Galaxy Note 7 sales, and issued a global recall for devices already sold. Samsung claimed that the number of incidents was low 35 globally as of September 1st and nobody appears to have been injured so far by a malfunctioning device.

After the statement issued by FAA, Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways have banned passengers from using or charging Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on planes over concerns their batteries could explode or catch fire.

A Qantas spokesperson said, "the airline was asking owners of the phone not switch it on or charge it in flight."

"Following Samsung's product recall announcement, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices may not be used or charged on board Virgin Australia flights," a Virgin spokesperson said.

Samsung Australia on Monday recalled, "51,060 Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, after its parent company found some of the batteries have exploded or caught fire."

The South Korean tech giant has said "there were 35 instances of Note 7s catching fire or exploding. Samsung has sold around 2.5 million Note 7s around the world, with an estimated one in 42,000 units at risk of having a faulty battery."

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BY M. DIVYA SRI