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PASSENGERS aboard Singapore Airlines (SIA) or Scoot flights will not be allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices from April 1, The Straits Times cited today.
In a Facebook post on March 12, SIA said that passengers would also not be allowed to charge portable power banks via on-board USB ports throughout the duration of the flight, citing safety reasons for the move.
“The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries,” said SIA.
“This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage.”
It added that its customers may carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh on its planes without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Scoot, the budget arm of SIA, also released a similar statement on its Facebook page.
In 2023, two passengers aboard a Scoot flight set for take-off from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan for Singapore were injured after a power bank overheated and caught fire.
On March 8, Thai Airways and AirAsia had also introduced new regulations regarding the use of power banks on flights in response to an increase in cabin fire incidents, prioritizing passenger safety.
Effective March 15, Thai Airways will impose a complete ban on the use and charging of power banks during flights.
Passengers will still be allowed to carry power banks in their hand luggage, but only within specific capacity limits. The airline has clarified that power banks exceeding these limits will not be allowed onboard.
Meanwhile, AirAsia has also enacted new rules concerning the use of power banks during flights.
The airline now prohibits charging devices with power banks while in the air.
Additionally, passengers are required to ensure that their power banks are clearly labeled, in good condition, and comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) safety standards.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has set specific guidelines for power bank usage, stating that power banks must not exceed 160 Wh (32,000 mAh).
For power banks within the 100-160 Wh range, passengers are allowed to bring up to two units onboard.
These new restrictions come on the heels of similar measures adopted by airlines in South Korea and Taiwan, which have also tightened regulations on the storage and use of power banks during flights due to growing concerns over fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries.
Both Thai Airways and AirAsia, along with aviation regulators, have stressed the importance of checking power bank capacity and condition before boarding to minimise the risk of fires and ensure the safety of all passengers.
Passengers are advised to follow the new guidelines carefully to avoid any disruptions during their travel.
The move reflects a broader trend within the aviation industry to enhance safety protocols in light of the potential hazards posed by lithium batteries, which are known to catch fire under certain conditions. – March 12, 2025
