If you are one of those people who always travels with a Power Bank because your mobile battery is insufficient or does not last long…, it is time for you to pay special attention to what has just happened in China. Eva Air and China Airlines have banned the use and charging of devices during flights. Yes, you read right. This measure came into effect on March 1 with the aim of reinforcing the safety on board of all passengers a year after an incident put the entire airline industry on full alert.
It all started with the Air Busan flight, in January 2024, when in the middle of the journey the upper luggage compartment began to burn uncontrollably. The crew managed to react very quickly and evacuated all the passengers, luckily, there were no victims although the plane did suffer serious damage. The culprit? We suppose you can imagine it: a PowerBank.
Since then, this airline banned the use of these devices during the flight, and now Eva Air and China Airlines have joined these regulations for fear that the same thing will happen to them.
What do new regulations say
The restrictions announced by Eva Air state that, from March:
- It is forbidden to use and charge power banks during the flight.
- They cannot be carried in checked luggage.
- They must be carried in hand luggage, stored correctly to prevent the battery from causing a short circuit and burning.
- China Airlines will apply the same restrictions, and other Asian airlines are likely to follow suit in the coming months if everything works properly.
Just like with power banks, any device containing a lithium battery will have to go in your hand luggage for a simple reason: if it catches fire, it is much easier and quicker to go and fix it if it is in the user area than if it is in the hold of the plane, so, to avoid any further doubts: if it runs on a battery, it must be with you during the trip.
Will these restrictions impact travellers?
Of course, for those who depend on a power bank this measure can be a problem, but they have to be aware that they may be putting other passengers at risk and compromising the safety of the plane. However, the fact that they prohibit charging devices during the trip with power banks does not mean that they cannot be charged. There are many planes that have USB available to charge during the journey, and if not, you will have to charge it in the airport sockets before boarding.
Is this only happening in China?
No, the regulations on lithium batteries have varied depending on the airline and the country you are in, but they are under scrutiny because they are much more likely to catch fire than other types of devices. All airlines have very strict regulations on lithium batteries and they are required to be carried in hand luggage.
Power Banks have become widely used all over the world, and it is very common to see them in almost every place, but if they put the safety of airplanes at risk, it is normal that airlines are taking measures (however inconvenient they may be), be prepared to look for alternatives because it is very possible that they will tighten their rules if similar incidents continue to occur!