Samsung has received nearly 40 complaints about the smartphone catching fire, either when in use or while being charged.
The UAE's aviation body has banned the use of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone during flights.
Following similar moves from airlines in Europe, the US, India and Singapore, Etihad and Flydubai issued statements on September 10 barring in-flight use of the phone, which was recalled earlier this month by Samsung after reports of burning and exploding batteries when the phone is put on charge.
Samsung has received nearly 40 complaints about the smartphone catching fire, either when in use or while being charged.
“Emirates can confirm that with immediate effect it will advise customers not to turn on or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones during flights or stow them in checked baggage due to concerns over the phone’s fire-prone batteries,” Emirates said in a statement issued to Gulf News on Saturday.
Etihad also said that it “has, as a precautionary measure, enforced a temporary ban on the in-flight use and battery charging of these devices on all its flights until the issue is rectified by the manufacturer”.
Flydubai stated via Facebook: “We would like to request passengers that own these devices to not switch them on or charge them in flight. In addition, we are unable to accept this device in checked baggage.”
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In the UAE, Samsung on Friday launched a voluntary exchange programme or the Note 7, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy.
Globally, the voluntary recall applies to all 2.5 million Note 7 phones sold since its roll-out in August.
The South Korean company believes that the battery problem might affect 0.1% of all the phones sold.
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