HK to ban use of power banks on aircraft

 

Use of power banks will no longer be allowed on board local aircraft from Apr 7

From Apr 7, all local airlines should not allow their passengers to use power banks to charge mobile phones or other electronic devices, or recharge power banks while on flight. 

Additionally, all passengers will not be allowed to stow power banks in the overhead compartments of aircraft starting on the same date. What this suggests is that the power banks can be placed under the seat, or in the seat pocket in front of the passenger.

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The move was announced by the Civil Aviation Department today, Monday, following a meeting with representatives from local airlines last Friday, Mar 21.

The restrictions will be on top of the International Civil Aviation Organization's relevant regulations on the carriage of items by passengers onboard, including prohibiting the carrying of power banks in check-in baggage, and allowing only power banks with watt-hour rating of not exceeding 100Wh to be brought on board.

Additionally, batteries must be packed sparately and protected from overheating by taping over exposed terminals. Each passenger is allowed to bring on board a maximum of two battery packs, with each not exceeding 100Wh.

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Other airlines, such as Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, have already imposed similar restrictions.

The move follows a number of fires breaking out aboard aircraft, which have been directly linked to power banks.

In the latest case, an inbound Hong Kong Airlines flight from the mainland Chinese city of Hangzhou was forced to divert to Fuzhou after a fire broke out on board the aircraft last Tuesday. Passengers suspect the blaze was caused by a power bank that overheated.

  

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