Following a fire likely caused by a faulty power bank on an Air Busan plane in South Korea, passengers can expect significant changes regarding the carriage and use of power banks on flights.
- Stricter Regulations: Airlines are tightening rules on how passengers can transport power banks.
- Carry-On Only: Passengers must keep power banks and e-cigarettes with them rather than in overhead lockers.
- No Charging Onboard: Power banks are being prohibited from charging devices or from charging the power banks themselves using onboard USB ports.
- Airline Implementation: Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Thai Airways, EVA Air, and China Airlines have already announced these restrictions.
- Visual Inspection: Passengers are advised to monitor their power banks for signs of deterioration, such as battery expansion.
- South Korean Regulations: As of March 1st, South Korea requires passengers to carry portable batteries and chargers in their personal space, not overhead compartments.
- Growing Trend: A growing number of airlines are rolling out similar rules, with Singapore Airlines and its low-cost unit Scoot set to ban the use and charging of power banks onboard from April 1.
These changes aim to mitigate the risk of lithium-ion battery fires on planes.
