Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones have been banned on all US flights after reports of the device catching fire, the US Department of Transportation has announced.

Passengers will not be able to take their Galaxy Note 7 phones on flights or in their luggage to and from the US from 16:00 GMT on October 15. The passengers attempting to travel with the device are informed that the phone will be confiscated and the traveler can be fined.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously advised against packing the phones in luggage.

Photo Samsung

This week, Samsung permanently stopped Galaxy Note 7 production.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement: “We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority.

“We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident in-flight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”

The South Korean tech giant recalled around 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7phones in September after complaints of exploding batteries.

While the company later insisted that all replaced devices were safe, there were reports that those phones were catching fire too.

Samsung then said it would stop Galaxy Note 7 production.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot Kaye said: “The fire hazard with the original Note 7 and with the replacement Note 7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall.

“I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It’s the right thing to do and the safest thing to do.”