House » AIRLINE NEWS » Stunning New Airline Guidelines: Why Energy Banks Are No Longer Welcome On Flights
Monday, March 24, 2025
Interested in bringing an influence financial institution in your subsequent flight? Keep knowledgeable in regards to the newest airline laws, restrictions, and important security tips earlier than you pack your journey tech.
All of us look ahead to jetting off to new locations, however let’s face it—planning and packing all of your digital devices may be overwhelming. From pulling out gadgets for safety screenings to forgetting your journey adapter, and the worst-case situation—touchdown in a brand new nation with a lifeless cellphone battery—it’s simple to emphasize over the main points. Over the previous few years, compact energy banks have been a lifesaver for a lot of vacationers. However with the summer time journey season approaching, airways are reassessing the protection of handheld chargers, with a number of carriers implementing outright bans.
Singapore Airways (SIA) and Scoot have not too long ago joined the rising record of airways proscribing energy financial institution utilization on flights. As of March 12, 2025, they’ve prohibited passengers from utilizing energy banks to cost gadgets mid-flight and banned charging them by way of onboard USB ports. Right here’s all the things it is advisable to learn about flying with transportable chargers.
What potential risks include bringing an influence financial institution on a flight?
Transportable battery chargers are a staple for a lot of vacationers, particularly these on long-haul flights. Nonetheless, a latest aviation security report from ULSE Inc., the Requirements & Engagement division of Underwriters Laboratories (UL), revealed that these gadgets had been concerned in 16% of incidents on passenger flights.
The first hazard with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway, a harmful response the place the battery heats uncontrollably, doubtlessly resulting in a fireplace. Broken or faulty batteries are significantly in danger, whereas counterfeit fashions pose an excellent larger hazard attributable to subpar manufacturing. Fires brought on by lithium-ion batteries unfold quickly and intensely, making them a big security concern in aviation. Most incidents happen close to passenger seats, the place energy banks usually tend to be broken or overheat.
How usually do energy banks result in incidents on flights?
Between 2020 and 2024, South Korea’s Land, Infrastructure, and Transport Ministry reported 13 plane fires brought on by digital machine batteries, with energy banks liable for 9 of those incidents. The frequency of those fires has elevated sharply lately, rising from only one in 2020 to 6 in each 2023 and 2024.
The newest incident occurred on January 28, 2025, when a fireplace broke out on an Air Busan Airbus A321 at Gimhae Worldwide Airport, with investigations suggesting an influence financial institution because the doubtless wrongdoer. In response, Air Busan launched a brand new coverage: carry-on luggage containing energy banks could be tagged and saved in overhead bins. The airline examined this measure on choose routes earlier than rolling it out extra broadly. One other comparable incident occurred on a Batik Air flight from Johor Bahru to Bangkok, the place an influence financial institution ignited shortly earlier than touchdown, filling the cabin with smoke. In 2023, two passengers on a Scoot flight suffered accidents when an influence financial institution caught fireplace after overheating.
Airways which have carried out energy financial institution bans on their flights
Right here’s a listing of airways which have prohibited each the use and charging of energy banks throughout flights.
Flights with Singapore Airways (SIA) and Scoot
In a Fb submit dated March 12, 2025, Singapore Airways (SIA) introduced that, attributable to security considerations, charging energy banks by way of onboard USB ports would now not be permitted. Passengers are allowed to hold energy banks as much as 100Wh with out prior approval, whereas these starting from 100Wh to 160Wh require airline authorization. Scoot made the same announcement. Beginning April 1, 2025, each Singapore Airways (SIA) and Scoot passengers will probably be prohibited from utilizing energy banks to cost gadgets throughout flights.
Eva Air
Beginning March 1, 2025, Eva Air has imposed a ban on utilizing or charging energy banks and spare lithium batteries throughout flights for security functions. The airline suggested passengers to totally cost their gadgets earlier than boarding. For in-flight charging, passengers can use AC retailers and USB Kind-A ports if vital. Moreover, energy banks and spare lithium batteries is not going to be allowed in checked baggage and have to be saved in hand baggage, saved securely to forestall any potential injury.
China AirlinesChina Airways has revised its journey tips, imposing new guidelines for carrying energy banks beginning March 1, 2025. Passengers departing from Incheon Airport are required to cowl energy financial institution ports with insulating tape or protecting covers, or place them in clear zip-lock luggage or pouches, conserving them both on their individual or within the seat pocket. Energy banks and spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage and have to be securely packed in carry-on baggage. They can’t be used or charged throughout the flight, and storing them in overhead compartments isn’t advisable.
Thai Airways not too long ago imposed the same ban on energy banks aboard its flights
On March 10, 2025, Thai Airways Worldwide introduced that beginning March 15, passengers would now not be permitted to make use of or cost energy banks (spare batteries) all through your entire flight. Nonetheless, this restriction doesn’t apply to carrying energy banks in hand baggage.
AirAsia
AirAsia permits spare batteries, together with energy banks, solely in carry-on baggage and prohibits them from being checked in. The watt-hour ranking should not exceed 100Wh. For all flights to and from Korea, energy banks, spare batteries (not put in in a tool), and e-cigarettes usually are not allowed in overhead compartments and have to be carried on the passenger’s individual. This stuff have to be securely packed in a plastic or insulated pouch, or saved of their unique packaging.
Batteries with a watt-hour ranking between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval at check-in. Workers will connect clearance stickers for passengers departing from South Korea.
Starlux Airways
Starlux Airways’ web site outlines that energy banks have to be securely packed in carry-on baggage and can’t be positioned in checked baggage. For security causes, the usage of energy banks throughout the flight is prohibited.
Tigerair Taiwan
Energy banks missing clear specs or watt-hour rankings usually are not permitted on board. Furthermore, energy banks are banned on all Tigerair Taiwan flights. For particulars on different lithium-powered gadgets, passengers can discuss with the airline’s web site.
Air Busan
In response to a latest fireplace incident, Air Busan revised its carry-on insurance policies, requiring passengers to retailer energy banks in hand baggage, with a ban on storing them in checked baggage or overhead compartments. Charging energy banks throughout the flight can also be prohibited. Passengers are allowed to hold as much as 5 energy banks below 100Wh with out prior approval, whereas these between 101Wh and 160Wh require airline authorization. Energy banks exceeding 160Wh usually are not permitted. All energy banks have to be individually packed to forestall brief circuits, and unmarked or unverifiable energy banks usually are not allowed onboard.
Cathay Pacific Airways, reportedly, is without doubt one of the few airways that doesn’t impose an entire ban on utilizing energy banks contained in the cabin.
