TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Recently, Singapore Airlines and Scoot announced new regulations prohibiting the use of power banks on their airplanes. This adds to the growing list of airlines that have banned the use or charging of portable batteries during flights. The prohibition is a preventative measure against the increasing number of cabin fires caused by power banks.
The addition of these airlines follows a fire incident on Air Busan on January 28, 2025. While the South Korean low-cost carrier currently permits passengers to carry power banks, they prohibit storing them in carry-on bags or overhead compartments. Passengers must keep them on their person during the flight.
Here are the airlines that have banned the use of power banks on airplanes:
1. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines has implemented a new regulation banning the use of power banks during flights, effective April 1, 2025. The policy, announced on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, also prohibits charging power banks through the aircraft’s USB ports.
Passengers are still allowed to carry portable batteries with a capacity of up to 100 Wh without approval and batteries with a capacity of 100 Wh to 160 Wh with airline permission.
2. Scoot
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has also banned the use of power banks on its flights, effective April 1, 2025, for all routes. The prohibition stems from safety concerns. In 2023, an accident involving a portable battery on a Scoot flight resulted in injuries to two passengers.
3. Thai Airways
Thai Airways prohibits the use of power banks for charging mobile phones on airplanes, effective March 15, 2025. Passengers are still permitted to carry portable batteries in carry-on bags, provided they comply with the capacity limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and IATA safety standards.
4. AirAsia
Following Thai Airways, AirAsia also prohibits the use of power banks for charging electronic devices during flights, effective March 15, 2025. The Malaysian-based airline permits passengers to carry external batteries with a watt-hour capacity not exceeding 100 Wh, in compliance with IATA safety standards.
5. Eva Air
EVA Air prohibits passengers from using or charging power banks and backup lithium batteries at any time during flights, effective March 1, 2025. As reported by Focus Taiwan, the airline advises passengers to use the AC power outlets and USB ports (type A) available at their seats for charging.
6. Tigerair Taiwan
Tigerair Taiwan prohibits passengers from carrying power banks unless the charger has clearly labeled specifications. The LCC also advises passengers against using portable batteries during flights.
7. Starlux Airlines
Starlux Airlines has prohibited the use of power banks on its airplanes since its establishment on May 2, 2018, to enhance flight safety. The Taiwanese airline still allows passengers to carry power banks in carry-on bags in accordance with applicable regulations.
8. China Airlines
Chinese flag carrier China Airlines prohibits the use or charging of power banks on its flights, effective March 1, 2025, as a preventive measure against fire incidents.
NIA NUR FADILLAH | TRAVEL AND TOUR WORLD | FOCUS TAIWAN
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