The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco appears to be coming to an end, with the Department of Transportation announcing it will no longer require airlines to notify passengers about the device’s flight ban before take off.
“The Department of Transportation removed the requirement for air carriers to specifically notify passengers about the Note 7 phone immediately prior to boarding due to the high degree of public awareness of the ban since issuance of the emergency restriction/prohibition order, as well as the extensive efforts by Samsung and U.S. wireless providers to make all Note 7 users aware the phone is recalled and banned from transport on U.S. aircraft,” the Federal Aviation Association said in a press release.
Samsung initially recalled the Galaxy Note 7 in September following a series of device explosions, and discontinued the smartphone in October. The manufacturer offered owners full refunds and exchanges for other Samsung devices with no penalty, which got about 93 percent of handsets out of the hands of consumers.
Following the return program, Samsung, with the assistance of mobile carriers around the world, deployed end of life updates to handsets that would remove functionality such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and charging ability. Since then, Samsung has been able to get approximately 96 percent of handsets out of circulation.
There is no telling what will happen to the Galaxy Note 7 models that have not been returned. Some Samsung divisions have stated they will begin implementing penalties for users who return the device late.
