By Lisa Barrington
SEOUL (Reuters) – Several airlines in Asia have updated their guidance on carrying lithium batteries onboard. The batteries are in devices such as cellphones and e-cigarettes, and can malfunction to produce smoke, fire or extreme heat.
In 2024, three incidents every two weeks of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018.
Aviation has long recognised the batteries as a safety concern, and rules are periodically tightened in response to accidents.
AIRLINES IN SOUTH KOREA
In January an Air Busan plane was consumed in flames while preparing to depart South Korea. Investigators have not issued a final report into the cause of the fire, but the transport ministry said on March 14 that a power bank was the possible cause.
Air Busan was the first to change its policies to disallow power banks in overhead cabin bins, saying passengers should keep them on their person, to more easily spot any problems.
From March 1 South Korea tightened rules for all South Korean airlines, including keeping power banks and e-cigarettes with passengers and not in luggage bins, and not charging devices onboard.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SCOOT
Singapore Airlines, which includes budget airline Scoot, said on March 12 customers would not be allowed to charge portable power banks via onboard USB ports, or use power banks to charge personal devices during flights from April 1.
The airline told Reuters it regularly reviews in-flight procedures and regulations and safety is the company’s top priority.
EVA AIR
Taiwan’s EVA Air prohibited charging and using power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights starting on March 1.
It advised that most plane seats are equipped with USB power outlets if passengers need to charge other devices.
CHINA AIRLINES
Taiwan’s China Airlines said from March 1 power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be used or charged during flights. It also recommended passengers to not store power banks in overhead bins.
THAI AIRWAYS
Thai Airways from March 15 prohibited the use and charging of power banks and portable batteries during flights.
IATA GUIDELINES
Airlines generally follow the lithium battery guidance in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which state power banks must be carried in cabin baggage, not in checked baggage, and sets limits on the amount and strength of batteries that can be carried.
European airline group Lufthansa said it adheres to IATA guidance, which has not changed.
IATA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Air India said it constantly reviews policies based on industry events and regulatory recommendations.
“As change from current practice may introduce new risks and there is no clear consensus on the best approach, Air India policy remains unchanged at this juncture,” a spokesperson said.
(Reporting by Lisa Barrington; additional reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Ben Blanchard and Abhijith Ganapavaram. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
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