Emirates joins global airlines in power bank flight restrictions

Major airlines have imposed strict new rules on portable chargers as battery-related incidents have tripled since 2018, with Emirates the latest carrier to act.

The Snap Wireless PowerPack Slim is one of several kinds of power banks that have been recalled due to the risk overheating and catching fire.

Emirates is the latest major airline to ban the use of power banks in flight, as concern grows about the safety of portable chargers which have been known to overheat and catch fire.

The Gulf carrier said its ban was prompted by “significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents on flights across the wider aviation industry”.

Federal Aviation Administration data showed there was an average of three incidents every fortnight globally in 2024, up from fewer than one a week in 2018.

In January, an Air Busan aircraft was destroyed at South Korea’s Gimhae Airport when fire erupted from an overhead locker. Seven passengers were injured while evacuating the A321.

Closer to home, a power bank in a passenger’s carry-on overheated and started a fire on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart in July.

Cabin crew and passengers managed to extinguish the flames in an overhead locker. The incident has prompted Virgin to review its power bank policy, with the airline now encouraging passengers to keep the devices in sight and out of use.

Emirates is the latest airline to ban the use of power banks in flight, amid a surge in lithium battery-related incidents. Picture: iStock

Numerous other airlines have adopted their own power bank policies that go beyond International Civil Aviation Organisation instructions for portable chargers.

Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Asiana and Hong Kong Airlines have taken a similar approach to Emirates, banning their use in flight and requiring passengers to keep them out of overhead lockers.

Others including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, AirAsia, China Airlines and EVA Air permit power banks to be stored in overhead compartments, but not used in flight.

Qatar Airways has banned certain Anker power banks on board, and Southwest Airlines in the US demands the devices be handheld during flight.

Qantas and Jetstar still permit the use of power banks to charge devices such as phones or watches, but ask they be kept within easy reach of the passenger.

Flight Centre Corporate travel manager for Australia and New Zealand Renos Rologas said it was only a matter of time before regulatory bodies issued a globally consistent ruling on power banks.

He said as it was, it was quite complicated to know what was and was not allowed on different airlines.

“All airlines must be working in the best interest of the safety of travellers, and also ensure that the requirements are straightforward to follow as a passenger,” said Mr Rologas.

“I’m confident that the industry is working towards this result, but a significant change like this can take time.”

Mr Rologas said his advice to travellers was to avoid using portable charging banks on board, regardless of whether the airline allowed it.

“There are now other options — almost all international aircraft and many large domestic aircraft offer a USB port for each seat, allowing you to charge your devices safely,” he said.
“If you are carrying a charging bank in your carry-on luggage — because you strictly cannot have them in your checked luggage across all carriers — then I suggest keeping them on your person, so they’re not at risk of being damaged in overhead lockers.”

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the on-board fire on the Virgin flight, with a final report due early next year.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority said it would consider any safety findings resulting from the ATSB investigation.

“Under our civil aviation safety regulations, airlines must comply with International Civil Aviaton Organisation technical instructions which state that power banks must only be carried on-board an aircraft in carry-on luggage,” said a CASA spokeswoman.

“Airlines have procedures and the cabin crew are trained to manage overheating and combustion incidents.”

Originally published as Emirates joins global airlines in power bank flight restrictions