Samsung Galaxy Note 7: airlines across Asia, the US and Europe ban exploding smartphone

Following US ban, airlines based in Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Germany and Italy prohibit flying with troubled phablet

Airlines around the world have now banned Samsung's troubled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone over the fire risks posed by the device's lithium-ion battery.

Following a ban by the US Federal Aviation Authority, Japan's transport ministry ordered airlines to completely ban the Note 7 from flights, including the country's largest operators All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines. Travellers ignoring the ban will have their smartphones confiscated with the possibility of further punitive measures.