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If you’re packing a portable power bank for your next flight, Australia’s major airlines are about to change the way you use it – or rather, stop you from using it altogether.
Virgin Australia and Qantas Group carriers have confirmed they will ban the in-flight use of portable power banks following a string of battery-related incidents worldwide, including a mid-air fire on a Virgin Australia service from Sydney to Hobart in July.
Power banks – the rechargeable lithium-ion packs used to top up smartphones, tablets and laptops – are a growing safety concern for airlines due to the risk of overheating and thermal runaway. Several global airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, have already imposed similar bans.
Virgin will enforce the new rules from 1 December, while Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar will follow from 15 December.
Under the updated policy, passengers may still carry power banks onboard, but they cannot be used during the flight. Travellers will also be restricted to two power banks per person, and the devices must be kept close by in a seat pocket or bag, rather than stowed in an overhead locker, to ensure crew can quickly access them in the event of an issue.
Qantas also stipulates power banks cannot be recharged during a flight, including via in-seat power or USB ports. Lithium batteries must also be removed from ‘smart bags’ and taken as carry-on, and all power banks must display their battery specifications.
The new rules mean passengers who rely on power banks for long-haul entertainment or work will need to fully charge devices before boarding or use in-seat power where available.
Airlines say the changes are designed to minimise the risk of onboard fires and bring Australia in line with emerging international safety standards.
“Due to the growing use of power banks by travellers and the associated safety risks of damaged or defective lithium battery-powered devices, the changes follow a comprehensive internal safety review in recent months and work with other industry representatives including Virgin Australia, the International Air Transport Association and Oneworld carriers,” Qantas said in a statement.
Virgin Australia Chief Operations Officer Chris Snook said the change is part of the airline’s ongoing commitment to safety and compliance.
“Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices,” he said.
A power bank is a portable device that contains rechargeable lithium batteries. They are used to recharge other devices such as phones, tablets and laptops and have increased in popularity in recent years. Some sources claim 40 per cent of travellers now carry a power bank.
Generally power banks are safe to use, however faulty, over-charged, or damaged packs can enter ‘thermal runaway’, which causes an uncontrollable chain reaction where the batteries can emit gases, catch fire or explode. Fundamentally it’s the same issue seen in some electric vehicle fires, however EV batteries pose less of a risk as they have sophisticated thermal management systems and strong protective casings.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), incidents involving lithium batteries increased by 92 per cent between 2020 and 2022. The ACCC has issued more than a dozen power bank recalls since 2020.
There have been several recent high profile incidents involving power banks on flights. An Air China flight was forced to make an emergency landing in October when a lithium battery caught fire in an overhead storage bin. And in January, an Air Busan plane was forced to evacuate 180 passengers when a power bank caught fire, again in an overhead locker.
A Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart also encountered a fire in an overhead locker in July this year.
Passengers can still travel with power banks under the new regulations, however the rules prohibit their use during a flight and place new restrictions on their size, how many you can carry with you, and how they are stored on the plane.
Each passenger is limited to two power banks and each must not exceed 160 watt hours. They also have to be stored close by during the flight, either in your seat pocket or under the seat in front of you.
Keeping the packs visible, rather than stored in an overhead locker, will allow flight crews to see smoke sooner and respond more quickly.
