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Power Banks Ignite Aviation Fears: New Rules Emerge
20 Dec
Summary
- Recent fires in overhead bins and on planes are linked to power banks.
- Airlines globally are implementing stricter rules for lithium batteries.
- Incidents involving lithium batteries have significantly increased since 2024.
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.
