By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary, low-cost airline Scoot, are banning the use and charging of power banks during flights beginning April 1.
“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,” the two said in separate advisories.
Passengers will neither be allowed to charge the power banks through onboard USB ports, nor use the power bank to charge portable devices.
Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage, and must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights.
“Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval,” the advisories read.
Thailand’s flag carrier, Thai Airways, also announced banning the use and charging of power banks onboard, beginning March 15.
The measure seeks to ensure the highest level of safety for all passengers and crew members, it said on its website.
Earlier, all Korean-owned airlines banned power banks and e-cigarettes on overhead bins since March 1.
Also since March 1, the inflight use and charging of power banks have been prohibited on Eva Air flights.
The ban on the use of power banks on flights started following a fire that broke out in a Hong Kong-bound Air Busan plane last January.
The fire was seen from an overhead compartment, suggesting that an electronic device or power bank could have caused it. (PNA)
