(ECNS) -- Fire-prone Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are banned from air transportation in China, effective from Thursday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the CAAC, passengers and crew members are forbidden to carry Note 7 devices in their carry-on or hand luggage, and the phone is also banned from checked luggage or air cargo.
Airline companies and relevant service agencies are obliged to inform passengers or customers of the latest stipulations, the regulator said.
Those who violate the rules will be punished strictly according to law, it was added.
On Sept. 14, the CAAC issued a safety alert, warning passengers against using or charging Note 7 phones onboard planes or placing the phones in checked luggage. They were also banned from all air cargo.
Samsung Electronics announced on Oct. 11 that it would permanently stop the production and sale of the Galaxy Note 7, and worldwide recalls of the phone were announced amid reports of fires and explosions by users. Since then, Note 7 smartphones have been banned from air transport by civil aviation authorities in many countries.
