Emirates passengers face power bank use ban over fears of fire and explosions
With Emirates, passengers on the flight will be banned from using telephone power banks for concerns about fires, explosions and toxic gases.
This week, the airline announced that new security measures will be implemented from 1 October after a security review – the latest to increase concerns about popular portable charging devices.
Power banks are charged and then charge other electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras when people are out.
Emirates will be allowed to move a power bank to the ship, not only in the seat pocket or under the seat at the front seat, where Emirates customers have capacity rating information. There is already a prohibition that prevents them from hiding in controlled baggage.
However, the airline warned that the device will not be used in flight cabins, fear of dangerous results such as “fire, explosions and release of toxic gases”.
In a statement, he said: “In recent years, customers using power banks has been a significant growth, which has caused an increasing number of lithium batteries in flights in the wider aviation industry.
“New arrangements will significantly reduce the risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while being on the plane. Storing power banks in accessible places in the cabin, allowing the trained cabin team to quickly respond and extinguish the fire in the event of a rare fire.”
Lithium ion batteries are used in power banks that cause great concerns between airline and aviation safety regulators due to overheating risks in excessive charging or damage cases.
Movement may trigger other carriers to promote their own restrictions on the use of power bank.
Many Asian airlines such as carriers in China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways have already done this.
As of March 1, South Korea applied more strict rules between the operators after a fire on the Air Busan plane on January 28th.
Meanwhile, in the US Southwest Airlines passengers should now use portable charger and batteries straight. The airline refers to security concerns after multiple overheating incidents and introduced the rule as of May 28th.
Last year, the three incidents of the lithium battery, which was overheating every two weeks on aircraft, were globally recorded in 2018 by the US Federal Aviation Administration compared to a week a week.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests that “Portable electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries exceeding 100 Watts but not exceeding 160 WHDs” recommends the permission of the transport luggage for personal use.
“Two spare batteries protected separately per person will not be transported.”
Each lithium ion cell or battery should also be protected separately to prevent short circuits ”.
Any backup battery is not allowed to fly in a controlled baggage, warns CAA.
Glenn Bradley, the head of the flight operations in CAA, said: “Lithium batteries strengthen everything from vapers and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they are incorrectly or damaged, they may cause intense fire in the cabin of a plane or that is difficult to hold.
“Reduces the risk of correct use. Lithium batteries should be transported to your carrying baggage. Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely closed and should not be in waiting mode.”
Travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends checking a specific type of battery types with your airline company if you are not sure what you can carry.
