Airlines Enforce New Rules On Power Banks On Flights — So As To Prevent Fires Caused By Faulty Power Banks

Fires on flights caused by burning or exploding power banks have been on the rise lately.  It happened on an Air Busan plane in January, a Batik Air aircraft in February, and most recently, a Hong Kong Airlines flight made an emergency landing in China on Mar 20 after a fire broke out in the overhead compartment. 

All this has sparked off many airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Scoot, setting new rules around carrying spare battery packs, including power banks, on board. 

What has not changed: Spare battery packs should always and only be packed in hand carry baggage — never in checked-in bags. 

#1: Which airlines do not allow using or charging of power banks on board anymore? 

Many airlines have tightened the rules surrounding having power banks on board. 

While aviation regulation prohibits the use and charging of power banks during takeoff and landing only, many airlines have now banned it throughout the flight. These airlines include but are not limited to: Singapore Airlines and Scoot, Eva Air, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and Thai Airways. 

Cathay Pacific, in line with the Hong Kong government’s ban, has also banned the use and charging of all battery packs in-flight, and all passengers are not allowed to store power banks and battery packs in overhead bin compartments on the plane. This comes into effect from Apr 7. 

Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings will also ban the use and charging of power banks on flights, and passengers muist keep the power banks with them in carry-on bags under the seat or in the seat pocket in front of them. They are prohibited from storing them in overhead bin compartments. Magnetic wireless charging power banks must be kept in a separate bag or protective pouch to prevent unintentional activation.

#2: What are the limits on power bank capacity allowed on board?

Generally, power banks of capacities up to 100Wh (27,000 mAh) are permitted on board by most airlines in carry-on baggage only. Most airlines prohibit power banks of capacities above 160Wh. 

Some airlines require passengers to seek approval for power banks between 100-160Wh. These include Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar. Policies may vary from across airlines so it’s best to check with the airline before you fly. 

#3: What type of power banks are safe to buy?

Buying a safe power bank and using it safely applies to usage even if you’re not on the plane. Take  it from the lady whose power bank exploded and caught fire at Raffles Place MRT station recently. “Fortunately, I wasn’t on a plane,” she told reporters. On a Xiaohongshu post, the woman revealed that it was a Xiaomi power bank that she had.
 
In a nutshell, choose a power bank that has passed Singapore’s safety standard numbered IEC 62133-2 by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), according to experts on a Talking Point episode on power banks safety on CNA. 

While this can sometimes be identified with a sticker on the product, it may not always be the case as it’s not required for manufacturers to place a sticker on the device, even if they meet the standards. 

Buy from local retailers or e-tailers, as imported ones would mean that they have already passed the safety requirement, as stated by experts in a Talking Point episode. 

Experts warn against buying from overseas and online platforms that ship from outside of Singapore as these may not necessarily have passed the safety requirement. 

Fires caused by power banks can also be a result of short circuit when it comes into contact with other metal objects in your bag. So power banks should be stored in a protective pouch that as an extra preventive measure. This ensures that the power bank does not move around too much or is in contact with other metal objects in your bag, such as keys, which will increase the fire risk.

#4: My power bank has swelled over time. Can I bring it on board?

If your power bank has swelled or bloated, do not take it on board. In fact, do not take it anywhere and dispose of it safely. A bloated power bank is a tell-tale sign that it is damaged and poses a fire risk. Overcharging also causes power banks to overheat, another primary cause of fire. 

In fact, a power bank that caught fire on a Scoot plane in 2023 was caused by overheating. Meanwhile, SCDF’s preliminary findings of the Raffles Place MRT fire “was likely caused by an electrical origin from the power bank.”

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