Emirates Airline to ban use of power banks onboard

Emirates has announced its decision to prohibit passengers from using power banks on flights from October 10, as an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry have been reported in recent years. 

Passengers will not be permitted to use the power bank, nor charge it using the aircrafts’ power source.

In a statement, the airline said the "new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft".

"Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire," the airline added.

The UAE carrier said customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions:

• It must be under 100 Watt Hours
• It may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard
• Charging it using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted
• Capacity rating information must be made available
• It may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you
• It is not permitted to be stored in checked-in luggage 

 A power bank is a portable device that's designed to charge other electronic devices such smart phones, tablets, laptops and cameras.

If the battery is overcharged, it could cause rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase, leading to a potential fire, explosion or the release of toxic gas. 

An investigation into a fire that engulfed a passenger plane in South Africa last January found it was likely caused by a power bank.