Airlines Tighten Rules on Power Banks Amid Growing Safety Concerns

A growing number of airlines have announced bans on the use and charging of power banks onboard, citing safety risks associated with lithium batteries. Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to enforce such a rule, joining a list of global airlines restricting power bank usage.

Singapore Airlines’ New Ban

According to a report by Executive Traveller, Singapore Airlines’ new policy will take effect from April 1, 2025. Passengers will no longer be allowed to charge power banks using onboard USB ports nor use them to charge personal devices during flights.

Similarly, Thai Airways International, Thailand’s national carrier, has also implemented a ban, effective March 15, 2025, as reported by Malay Mail.

South Korea’s Stricter Lithium Battery Regulations

Beyond individual airline policies, South Korea has introduced stricter regulations on lithium batteries aboard flights, highlighting growing safety concerns. The country’s new rules, which came into effect on March 1, 2025, follow a series of incidents involving overheating lithium batteries on aircraft.

Under the new regulations:

• Passengers on South Korean airlines must keep power banks and e-cigarettes on their person, rather than storing them in overhead bins.
• Devices cannot be charged onboard.
• Each passenger is limited to five 100-watt-hour batteries, while batteries over 160-watt-hours are banned.
• Batteries must be stored in clear plastic bags for easier inspection.

The regulations come after a January 2025 fire on an Air Busan plane, which was destroyed on the tarmac while awaiting takeoff. Investigators suspect the fire originated in an overhead cabin locker, although the cause remains undetermined.

Rising Aviation Risks from Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries—commonly used in mobile phones, laptops, tablets, watches, and e-cigarettes—are essential to modern travel but pose safety risks if damaged or overheated. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a rise in overheating incidents from once a week in 2018 to three incidents per fortnight in 2024.

A December 2024 report by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) highlighted that non-compliant lithium batteries continue to appear in checked luggage, posing a fire risk in cargo holds. Experts emphasize that batteries should remain in the cabin where crew members can quickly respond to malfunctions.

Aviation authorities worldwide are now considering new detection methods, including scent-detection dogs to identify improperly stored batteries in luggage.

As airlines continue tightening restrictions, passengers are urged to comply with evolving safety measures to minimize risks and ensure safer flights for all travelers.