Two airlines flying from Manchester Airport ban power banks and battery packs

Both Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways have announced a ban on the use of power banks and battery packs during flights as part of new safety measures

Many travellers use power banks and other portable chargers to keep their devices going when flying, but two major airliners are banning their use(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways have introduced a new set of regulations as security measures, banning the usage of power banks and battery packs on board. Recognised as potential fire hazards due to their lithium battery component, which can produce intense heat, power banks are generally restricted.

Typically, airline passengers are allowed to carry a maximum of two spare batteries with more than two grams of lithium content for lithium metal, or a watt-hour rating beyond 100 Wh, but only in their hand luggage.

However, these carriers’ latest restrictions mean that passengers will be prohibited from using power banks or battery packs for the entire flight duration. Singapore Airlines has confirmed that starting April 1, devices with portable power banks or power banks themselves will no longer be allowed to be charged using onboard USB ports.

Both airlines fly thousands of passengers to southeast Asia each year, with daily flights from Manchester Airport, London Heathrow and Gatwick.

Passengers will be banned from charging devices with portable power banks during flights(Image: (Image: Getty))

Singapore Airlines has mandated that power banks can only be transported in cabin baggage and are strictly forbidden in checked luggage, reports the Express.

Singapore Airlines further clarified in a communication to its customers: “The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries. This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage.

“Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval. We seek customers’ understanding that safety will always be our top priority.”

Thai Airways has recently implemented a new policy prohibiting passengers from using or charging power banks during flights. This rule, which came into effect on March 15, is designed to “ensure the highest level of safety for all passengers and crew members”.

Passengers are not allowed to carry power banks in their checked luggage, but they can include them in their carry-on baggage, provided they meet certain criteria.

The airline said: “Strict security measures had been imposed in compliance with guidelines set by IATA regarding dangerous items, including spare batteries. Details are as follows:

“Spare batteries in carry-on baggage.

• THAI allows spare batteries in carry-on baggage, with battery capacities of less than 20,000 milliamp-hours (mAh) or 100 Wh.
• Spare batteries with capacities of 20,000-32,000 mAh or 100-160 Wh, passengers can take up to two packs in a carry-on baggage.
• A spare battery of more than 32,000 mAh or 160 Wh is prohibited in carry-on baggage.

“A spare battery is prohibited to be loaded in baggage checked-in in all case.”

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