I am pretty sure we have all read or heard about multiple cases of power banks catching fire recently.
With all these cases, power banks just seem like ticking time bombs.
Earlier today (12 Mar 2025), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its budget arm Scoot announced a ban on the use of power banks during flights starting 1 Apr 2025, citing safety concerns.
In their respective Facebook posts, both airlines stated that passengers will not be allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices or charge the power banks via onboard USB ports throughout the flight.
The airlines emphasized that this decision complies with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which classify power banks as lithium batteries.
Despite the ban on usage, passengers must still carry power banks in their cabin baggage as they are not permitted in checked baggage.
SIA clarified that customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Rising Global Incidents of Power Bank Fires on Aircraft
The decision follows several inflight cabin fire incidents globally.
In 2023, two passengers aboard a Scoot flight preparing for take-off from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan were injured after a power bank overheated and caught fire.
More recently, a video from a passenger on a Batik Air flight showed the cabin filled with smoke—reportedly from a burning power bank—coming from an overhead luggage compartment.
In January, an Air Busan plane caught fire while preparing for departure at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea, also reportedly caused by a power bank.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, there were three incidents of overheating lithium batteries on planes within two weeks in 2024, compared to just under one incident per week in 2018.
Other Airlines Implementing Similar Safety Measures
SIA and Scoot are not the first airlines to implement such safety measures.
AirAsia and Thai Airways have also banned the use of power banks during flights.
Several South Korean airlines have imposed restrictions on charging power banks in-flight and placed limitations on overhead storage.
The announcement has sparked some concern among passengers. One parent commented on SIA’s Facebook post, expressing worry about keeping children entertained during long-haul flights.
The commenter also suggested upgrading USB ports on SIA planes to the increasingly popular USB-C format to allow for more efficient charging of battery-operated devices.
More details on baggage restrictions are available on SIA’s website.
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