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Lo Hoi-ying

Hong Kong is the latest aviation hub to tighten the use of power banks on flights, resulting in local airlines joining several other Asian carriers with more restrictions.
The Civil Aviation Department on Monday said the new measures for Hong Kong carriers followed recent safety incidents involving passengers using lithium power banks during flights.
Some airlines have moved to prohibit the carrying and the use of power banks on aircraft given recent incidents.
The International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations state power banks must be carried in cabin baggage.
In general, spare lithium batteries can be stored in carry-on bags if each does not exceed two grams in lithium content or each one does not exceed rating of 100 watt-hours.
For batteries rated from 100Wh to 160Wh, each passenger is limited to two and they must be stored separately and protectively. Batteries exceeding 160Wh are banned from aircraft.
To avoid short circuits, the batteries must be individually protected such as by placing them in the original retail packaging, taping over exposed terminals or placing each one in a separate plastic bag or pouch.
Hong Kong
Starting on April 7, passengers will no longer be allowed to use power banks during flights or store them in overhead compartments.
Industry insiders said the power banks could be kept under the passenger’s seat or in the pocket in front of them.
Singapore
Singapore Airlines has announced that customers will be prohibited from charging power banks via on-board USB ports. Passengers will also be barred from using power banks to charge phones and other personal devices.
The rules are effective from April 1 and will also apply to trips on Scoot, the company’s low-cost airline.


South Korea
Air Busan became the first airline to prohibit power banks in overhead cabin bins, saying passengers should keep the devices on them to easily spot problems.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport tightened rules for all South Korean airlines from March 1, including having passengers keep power banks and e-cigarettes on them and not in luggage bins, and not allowing them to charge devices on board.
In January, an Air Busan plane caught fire while preparing to depart South Korea for Hong Kong. Investigators have not issued a final report into the reason for the fire but the transport ministry said on March 14 that a power bank was the possible cause.
Mainland China
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, power banks cannot be put in checked luggage or used during flights. Power banks have to be clearly labelled with how much energy they deliver and those above 160Wh are banned.
Passengers are also not allowed to use portable batteries during the flight.
Malaysia
Malaysia Aviation Group, the parent of Malaysia Airlines, said from April 1 power banks would be prohibited in overhead compartments and could not be used during flights.
Magnetic wireless power banks must be kept in a separate bag. Passengers are advised to store power banks in a carry-on bag under their seat or in the seat pocket.
Budget carrier AirAsia said that all power banks must be stored in seat pockets or under chairs during flights starting from April. Passengers will also not be permitted to use them for charging other portable electronic devices throughout the flight.
Thailand
Thai Airways prohibited the use and charging of power banks and portable batteries during flights from March 15.
Taiwan
The Civil Aviation Administration in Taiwan said all power banks were prohibited from being placed in checked luggage.
Since March, China Airlines and Eva Air have banned the use of power banks on their planes, while Tigerair Taiwan and StarLux Airlines said a similar ban had been in place since they started operating.




Japan
According to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, power banks can only be carried in cabin bags. Passengers can bring up to two batteries with a capacity of up to 160Wh.
United States
The Federal Aviation Administration said power banks must be carried on board, removed from carry-on baggage and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin.
Battery terminals must be protected from short-circuiting by carrying the battery in a pouch and terminals must be kept out of contact with other metals.
Europe
According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), power banks must be placed in carry-on baggage and individually protected to prevent short-circuits.
The agency discourages the use of power banks on board aircraft. They should not be connected or provide power to a device while on board an aircraft.


Malaysia’s AirAsia restricts power bank usage on flights amid Hong Kong ban

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Flying with a power bank? What Hong Kong ban on in-flight use means for you

Hong Kong transport

Starting on April 7, passengers using Hong Kong airlines will no longer be allowed to store power banks in overhead compartments. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong bans passengers from using power banks during flights

The Civil Aviation Department has expressed serious concerns over recent safety incidents involving passengers using lithium power banks while flying. Photo: Getty Images

A video screengrab shows cabin crew members and passengers using drinks to put out a fire in an overhead compartment on board a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou. Photo: SCMP

Flames rip through the Air Busan plane that was set to depart for Hong Kong in January. Photo: AFP

Travellers on Hong Kong carriers will not be able to store power banks in overhead compartments. Photo: Getty Images

Passengers can charge electronic devices using USB ports in their seats. Photo: Getty Images

‘Power bank fire’ on Hong Kong Airlines flight forces plane to divert to Fuzhou

A screengrab shows cabin crew members and passengers using drinks to put out the fire in the overhead locker. Photo: SCMP 

The fire broke out after the flight departed from the mainland city of Hangzhou. Photo: Handout

South Korea says Air Busan fire possibly caused by spare power bank

Firefighters try to put out the blaze from an Air Busan plane at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea on January 28. Photo: Yonhap/Reuters

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Hong Kong is restricting the use of power banks on flights. Here’s how other jurisdictions and carriers are dealing with the devices following recent incidents


Hong Kong is restricting the use of power banks on flights. Here’s how other jurisdictions and carriers are dealing with the devices following recent incidents.


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Explainer | Power banks on flights: which airlines and regions have tightened rules?

Hong Kong is restricting the use of power banks on flights. Here’s how other jurisdictions and carriers are dealing with the devices following recent incidents