In a statement, the airline said the ban was due to concerns over potential fire risk from the device’s battery after a number of incidents worldwide, Bernama reported.

“Passengers are not permitted to carry the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, and those in possession of the device, including recalled and replaced phones – on their person or even in their check-in luggage – will be denied boarding,” it said.

Malindo Air also appealed to all passengers to strictly abide by all safety instructions.

The Verge website yesterday reported that the Federal Aviation Administration had officially banned Galaxy Note 7s from being brought onto airplanes earlier this week, and under a new Emergency Restriction / Prohibition Order, it’s now a federal crime to fly with the device.

It reported that the FAA issued Emergency Restriction/Prohibition Order No. FAA-2016- 9288 on Friday, which states that as of noon on Oct 15, fliers are prohibited from bringing the device onto an aircraft.

The order restricts passengers from carrying the phone “on their person, in carry-on baggage, in checked baggage, or as cargo”.

It says that anyone who inadvertently brings one on a plane must power it down immediately.

Carriers are also required to “deny boarding to a passenger in possession” of the phone, it added.

The Verge said passengers who bring a Note 7 onto a plane are “subject to civil penalties of up to USD179,933 for each violation for each day they are found to be in violation (49 U.S.C. 5123),” and could be prosecuted, which could “result in fines under title 18, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both (49 U.S.C. 5124)”.