Passengers on local airlines will be banned from using power banks to charge portable devices during flights from April 7, according to new regulations announced by the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) on Monday.
“[S]tarting from April 7, local airlines should not allow their passengers to use power banks to charge other portable electronic devices and/or recharge power banks during flight,” the CAD said in a Monday press release.
“Stowage of power banks in the overhead compartments is also prohibited with the same effective date.”
It made the decision following a meeting with representatives from local airlines last Friday, the CAD also said.
The announcement comes after a fire broke out on an Air Busan plane on January 28 during take-off at South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport. The plane was preparing to depart for Hong Kong – all on board were evacuated safely, though seven were injured. Initial investigations suggest a portable power bank may have exploded in an overhead luggage compartment.
Cathay Pacific said earlier this month that it would make “no change” to its policy on portable chargers.
Last Thursday, a Hong Kong Airlines flight en route to Hong Kong was forced to make an emergency landing after a fire broke out in an overhead compartment, media reported. Passengers suspected it was caused by a power bank.
Airlines have been banning lithium-ion batteries from check-in luggage for years, with some now banning them from in-cabin use or stowage in overhead lockers.
Since the Air Busan fire, Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary Scoot, Taiwan-based EVA Air and China Airlines, as well as Thai Airways, have joined a list of carriers prohibiting passengers from using or charging power banks during flights.
“For any queries, passengers are advised to check with relevant airlines on the latest regulations before their flight,” the CAD added on Monday.
