Singapore announced that, as of April 1, customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports or use power banks to charge their devices.
Six airlines have moved to ban the use of power banks and battery packs on board its flights. Singapore Airlines announced that, as of April 1, customers will not be allowed to charge portable power banks via the onboard USB ports or use power banks to charge their devices.
Power banks must be carried in cabin baggage and are not permitted in checked luggage, too. Singapore announced: “Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
“We seek customers’ understanding that safety will always be our top priority.” The airline stated: “Our crews are trained to remain vigilant and ensure that customers comply with in-flight procedures.”
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According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): “All lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating and undergoing a process called thermal runaway. Thermal runaway can occur without warning due to various factors, including battery damage, overheating, exposure to water, overcharging, or improper packing. It can also result from manufacturing defects.”
Several airline companies are bringing in restrictions around using portable power banks on their flights. It means travellers will not be allowed to use the banks to charge their devices, nor charge the banks using onboard USB ports.
Airlines that have announced these restrictions include:
- Singapore Airlines
- Scoot
- Thai Airways
- South Korean Airlines
- EVA Air
- China Airlines
Since 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is the United Nations agency that coordinated aviation regulations across the world, has banned lithium-ion batteries of any kind from the cargo holds of passenger planes.
South Korea’s transport ministry’s initial investigation found a scorched power bank in an overhead luggage compartment where the fire was first observed. Following the incident Air Busan also confirmed they would be enforcing stricter regulations around power banks.
Air Busan announced that it will no longer allow passengers to keep portable power banks in their cabin luggage, in addition to prohibiting them from checked luggage. The South Korean government also announced that all passengers boarding flights in the country would soon be required to carry portable batteries and chargers on their person.