Airlines prohibit the use of power banks on flights: What are the rules established by other airline companies?
In the skies above the Middle East, airlines are implementing strict regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and crew regarding the use of power banks. These portable charging devices, powered by lithium-ion batteries, pose potential dangers such as overheating, fires, and explosions.
Qatar Airways, for instance, considers any equipment with a primary purpose to power another piece of equipment as a battery, including power banks. Passengers are allowed to carry power banks with an output less than 100Wh in hand baggage without requiring approval. However, if the capacity exceeds 160Wh, it must be carried as "Air cargo" in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Singapore Airlines and its budget subsidiary Scoot have taken a more stringent approach, banning the use of power banks on flights, effective from April 1. Similarly, the use of power banks is strictly prohibited on Etihad Airways flights.
Flydubai has its own set of rules. Power banks must be packaged to prevent accidental activation, switched off, and stored under the seat in front of the passenger. The airline allows power banks in hand baggage, but their use is not allowed during the flight. Power banks with a capacity less than 100Wh are permitted, while those between 100 and 160Wh are also allowed, albeit with authorization from the airline. Any battery or power bank that exceeds 160Wh is strictly prohibited on Flydubai flights.
Air India allows each passenger to carry a maximum of 2 spare batteries, which can be interpreted as 2 power banks. The UAE-based airline's rule is due to safety concerns regarding batteries and battery-powered devices in the aviation industry. Passengers can still carry power banks, but they cannot be charged using the aircraft's power source or used to charge other devices during the flight.
Emirates does not allow power banks to be used on board their flights from October 1. Power banks with an output of 100Wh are permitted on Etihad Airways; those between 100Wh and 160Wh may require authorization. Etihad Airways allows passengers to carry power banks in cabin baggage, provided they are individually wrapped or protected.
Air Arabia allows power banks on board their flights, but they must be carried in hand luggage and are not permitted in checked baggage due to safety regulations.
These regulations aim to mitigate fire risks and enable a swift response by trained cabin crew should an incident occur. Experts highlight that physical or thermal stress on power banks can trigger these hazardous events, raising significant fire safety concerns onboard airplanes. Incidents related to lithium battery overheating have been frequent enough that the US FAA records about three such events every two weeks worldwide, underscoring the seriousness of the hazard these power banks pose when flown onboard an aircraft.
[1] Khaleej Times report, "Power banks pose fire risk on flights, airlines ban use," March 1, 2023. [2] Emirates official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [3] Qatar Airways official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [4] Etihad Airways official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [5] Flydubai official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [6] Air India official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [7] Singapore Airlines official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [8] Scoot official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023. [9] Air Arabia official website, "Travel Tips: Power Banks," accessed March 1, 2023.
- The news reports indicate that several airlines such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Air India, and Air Arabia have implemented strict regulations for the use of power banks on flights due to fire safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries.
- Despite these restrictions, some airlines like Flydubai and Air India still allow passengers to carry power banks in hand baggage, though their use may be prohibited during the flight or restricted by capacity limits.
