Starting from 1 April 2025, different Asian airlines they introduced new Restrictions on the use and transport of powerbanks on board planes. The decision was made following a series of accidents related to overheating And, in some cases, to the fire of lithium -ion batteries during flights.
The companies that have adopted these measures include Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. The new rules provide that PowerBank can only be transported in hand luggage and not in the registered baggage. In addition, their use and charging on board are prohibited for safety reasons.
Some vectors, such as Korean Airlinesestablish precise limits on the ability of allowed batteriesfixing the maximum to 100 WH per passenger without authorization, while batteries between 100 and 160 WH require specific approval.
Too many accidents
As mentioned, the decision to impose these restrictions arises from the increase in accidents related to Powerbank. One of the most recent occurred on a flight by Hong Kong Airlines, forcing the plane to a emergency landing after a charger caught fire in a hat. In South Korea, another episode involved an Air Busan plane, which suffered significant damage due to a fire unleashed by a portable battery.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in the last twenty years they have been recorded beyond 500 air accidents related to lithium batteries. This type of battery, if defective or damaged, can face a phenomenon known as thermal escape (Thermal Runaway), which leads to a rapid increase in temperature and the risk of fire or explosion.
To mitigate the danger, the South Korean government has introduced further regulations, establishing that the PowerBank, but must be kept under the seat or in the pocket of the seat in front. Some airlines also require that the Powerbank connectors are covered with insulating tape or inserted in a protective case To avoid accidental short circuits.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had The transport of lithium -ion batteries is already prohibited in the hold luggage in 2016but with the increase in accidents many companies are now adopting even more restrictive rules. The trend could soon also extend to European and American carriers, uniforming international regulations. For travelers, the Council remains to be careful about the regulations of the company with which they travel before departure.
