New Airline Rules for Portable Batteries After Fire Risk Incident

Airlines across the globe are tightening rules around portable batteries in the wake of a fire that destroyed a plane in South Korea earlier this year. The blaze is suspected to have been caused by a lithium-ion power bank, highlighting the potential danger these common devices can pose during air travel.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in everyday electronics like smartphones and laptops, but their tendency to overheat and catch fire has prompted new safety measures. While many airlines already ban these batteries from checked luggage, several are now implementing stricter guidelines for their use and storage in the cabin.

In the U.S., Southwest Airlines revised its policy in May. Passengers are no longer allowed to charge devices using portable batteries while those batteries are stored in overhead bins. Instead, all charging must be done with the device and battery in plain sight during the flight.

International carriers are making similar changes. Taiwan’s EVA Air and China Airlines now prohibit the use or charging of power banks during flights, though passengers may store them in overhead bins. Meanwhile, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines go further by banning overhead storage of portable batteries altogether. Ireland's Ryanair requires travelers to remove lithium batteries from carry-on bags before stowing them overhead.

As air travel rebounds and passengers rely more on personal devices, these changes aim to strike a balance between convenience and safety. Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline for the most up-to-date rules regarding batteries before flying.

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