Airlines Tighten Grip on Power Banks: New Safety Measures Take Flight

Several airlines have recently updated their policies on lithium battery power banks due to safety concerns. Thai Airways prohibited the use and charging of power banks during flights from March 15. Singapore Airlines and Scoot will ban charging power banks via onboard USB ports and using them to charge devices from April 1. EVA Air and China Airlines banned the use and charging of power banks on flights starting March 1. South Korea tightened rules for all its airlines, requiring passengers to keep power banks on their person and prohibiting charging devices onboard. Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department announced new regulations banning power bank use during flights and their storage in overhead compartments, effective April 7. These changes follow recent incidents, including a fire on an Air Busan plane in January, possibly caused by a power bank.

 

Source: Reuters, Bangkok Post, The Standard