Power Banks Ignite Aviation Fears: New Rules Emerge

A growing number of aviation incidents involving lithium batteries, particularly power banks, have led airlines to enforce stricter safety measures. In late January 2025, a fire believed to be caused by a power bank destroyed an Air Busan plane in South Korea, injuring 27 people. This event and other similar incidents have spurred regulatory bodies and airlines to re-evaluate safety protocols for these devices.

Globally, airlines like Southwest and Australian carriers have introduced bans on charging power banks in overhead bins and using plane USB ports. The Federal Aviation Administration has documented a sharp increase in lithium battery-related incidents, with occurrences rising from less than once a week to approximately every four days on average since 2024. This rise is attributed to the proliferation of electronic devices and the prevalence of uncertified, cheaply made power banks.

Airlines are educating passengers to keep devices visible for quicker detection of issues. Historical events, such as the 2010 UPS Airlines fatal crash due to lithium battery cargo fires, underscore the risks. Consequently, regulations have become more stringent, including bans on lithium batteries as cargo on passenger flights and restrictions on spare batteries in checked baggage. As these incidents continue, more airlines are expected to implement enhanced power bank rules.