Over the past several months, a handful of airlines, mostly in Asia, have placed new rules regarding power banks on flights. Some require passengers to place them within sight instead of the overhead bin while still permitting the use of them, while others put an outright ban.
Traditionally, most airlines have allowed power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt hours in their carry-on baggage, but not in checked baggage. Following incidents with some catching fire onboard, however, some airlines have taken notice. The most notable was an Air Busan flight that caught fire back in January, injuring 7. Many of these strict regulations have come into place following the investigation that suggested power banks to be the cause.
Singapore Airlines has placed an outright ban on the use of power banks onboard. The airline still permits passengers to carry them with a capacity up to 100 watt hours without special approval, but does not allow them to charge them via onboard outlets and USB ports. Additionally, passengers are required to place them in their seat pocket or in their personal bags that go under the seat in front. This way, potential fires would be able to be spotted quicker.
Hong Kong SAR followed soon after in revising rules, and Cathay Pacific passengers, along with those onboard its LCC subsidiaries, are no longer permitted to use them in the air.
Under Hong Kong law, passengers are prohibited from charging power banks using onboard outlets and USB ports and using them to charge their own devices.
Thai Airways, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines have taken similar measures, in addition to all South Korean airlines.
Several other airlines have placed stricter rules, but not a full ban.
Japan is the latest to make a move. Passengers on Japanese airlines are still permitted to use them onboard, but are required to place them in their personal bags under the seat or the seat pocket, instead of in the overhead bins. The country’s measure will go into effect on July 8.
These bans and restrictions have mostly been among airlines in Asia. The US has not taken similar measures yet, but we’ll have to see if anything comes about. For now, it’s the same rules of no battery packs in checked luggage.
There’s no global standard for these power banks. As more and more airlines take differing measures, it’s going to get confusing to remember who enforces what. Going forward, it looks like it’s going to be another thing to keep in mind when flying internationally, and it might just be best to fully rely on onboard charging ports, no matter the airline.
Featured image via Yonhap.
