Study Buddy (Explorer): What Hong Kong’s ban on in-flight use of power banks actually means
Each week, this page presents a light article with questions to test your comprehension
Say goodbye to charging devices with power banks on Hong Kong planes; USB ports and cables are the only answer now.
Photo: Getty ImagesContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] Passengers flying with Hong Kong aircraft carriers will need to rethink packing a power bank in their hand luggage. The city’s aviation regulator has banned using these battery chargers while on board amid safety concerns. All four local airlines – Cathay Pacific Airways, its budget unit HK Express, Greater Bay Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines – must follow the new rules but can make their own changes within the requirements.
[2] The Civil Aviation Department said it would ban passengers travelling with local airlines from using power banks to charge electronic devices or batteries while on board. Travellers will also be prohibited from storing power banks in the overhead compartments. The new rules took effect on April 7.
[3] Passengers can charge their electronic devices by plugging a cable into a USB port built into the seat. Spare lithium batteries can be stored in carry-on bags if each does not exceed 2 grams in lithium content or a watt-hour (Wh) rating 100. Batteries must be individually protected to avoid short-circuiting. Suggestions include placing batteries in their original retail packaging, taping over exposed ports or storing each one in a separate plastic bag.
[4] If batteries are rated from 100Wh to 160Wh, each passenger can only carry two and must store them separately and protectively. Batteries exceeding 160Wh are banned from the aircraft. Under the current rules, passengers are prohibited from carrying lithium batteries in their checked baggage.
[5] Warren Chim Wing-nin, deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ Aircraft Division, noted that passengers should ensure the connections and ports of portable chargers were insulated to avoid a potential short-circuit. Travellers could also consider placing their lithium batteries or portable chargers in a plastic bag, as suggested by some airlines. While passengers can no longer store their power banks in the overhead compartments, they can still place batteries in the seat pocket in front of them or in their hand luggage under the seat, Chim said.
[6] “If you find that your device, no matter if it is a notebook or a camera, is suddenly really hot when you use it, please immediately inform the flight attendants,” he said. Chim also advised passengers to buy power banks from reputable sources and brands and to take good care of the products to prevent any malfunction caused by damage.
[7] In the event of a fire, passengers should immediately alert the cabin crew, he said. The cabin crew will use a containment bag or fire extinguishers to deal with the blaze. “When the item has not been fully ignited, the cabin crew will place the item into the fire containment bag, which will ensure that the fire does not spread even if the item catches fire inside,” he said.
Source: South China Morning Post, March 25
Questions
1. What are the four local airlines mentioned in paragraph 1?
2. In paragraph 2, passengers …
A. can only charge certain devices with power banks.
B. must store power banks in overhead compartments.
C. cannot use power banks to charge devices.
D. none of the above
3. Decide whether the following statements according to paragraphs 3 and 4 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) Passengers can pack as many 120Wh lithium batteries as they want.
(ii) Passengers are limited to a maximum of three hours of charging per device during a flight.
(iii) Passengers can charge their devices on the plane using a USB port on the seat if available.
(iv) Passengers can bring lithium batteries that are 200Wh if they keep them in the original packaging.
4. Find two words in paragraph 4 that have the same meaning. (2 marks)
5. In paragraph 5, where can passengers store their power banks?
6. Passengers … place their lithium batteries or portable chargers in a plastic bag, according to paragraph 5.
A. may
B. cannot
C. must
D. none of the above
7. Where should passengers buy their power banks, according to paragraph 6?
8. What is the purpose of putting devices in a fire containment bag?
9. Match each question to the paragraph that addresses it. (4 marks)
Answers
1. Cathay Pacific Airways, HK Express, Greater Bay Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines
2. C
3. (i) F; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) F
4. banned and prohibited
5. in the seat pocket in front of them or in their hand luggage under the seat
6. A
7. from reputable sources and brands
8. to ensure the fire does not spread
9. (i) Paragraph 5; (ii) Paragraph 7; (iii) Paragraph 3; (iv) Paragraph 4