Air Astana, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Thai Airways are among airlines that have recently updated their policy on carrying and usage of power banks onboard their aircraft due to growing safety concerns.
In January, a malfunctioning power bank was blamed for a fire that devastated an Air Busan aircraft at South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport. The airline moved swiftly in February to prohibit passengers from keeping power banks in luggage stored in overhead cabins. Instead, power banks are to be kept close on hand so that immediate action could be taken should there be smoke or fire incidents.
Rules have been tightened since, with South Korea authorities requiring passengers on all South Korean airlines to do the same starting March 1.
Air Astana Group will require all passengers to have their spare batteries, including power banks and electronic smoking devices, only in carry-on baggage,…
