Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its budget arm Scoot have announced a ban on the use and charging of power banks on their flights, set to take effect from April 1.
In a statement released on March 12, SIA informed passengers that the use of power banks for charging personal devices will be strictly prohibited on board. This prohibition extends to the charging of portable power banks via onboard USB ports throughout the entire duration of the flight, with the move being attributed to safety concerns.
In a Facebook post, SIA explained, “The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association’s Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries.”
The announcement emphasized that power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not allowed in checked baggage. Furthermore, the statement outlined the capacity limits for power banks, indicating that customers may carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hour (Wh) without special approval, while those with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh will require airline approval.
Scoot, a subsidiary of SIA, also released a similar statement on its official Facebook page, echoing the decision made by its parent company. The move comes as a response to past safety incidents, including a 2023 episode where two passengers aboard a Scoot flight were injured after a power bank overheated and caught fire during take-off from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan.
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This decision by Singapore Airlines and Scoot aligns with actions taken by other airlines around the world in response to in-flight cabin fire incidents linked to the charging of power banks. Airlines such as Thai Airways, AirAsia, and several airlines in South Korea have imposed bans on charging power banks in-flight, as well as implemented restrictions on overhead storage.
Notably, the aviation industry has witnessed a series of in-flight incidents involving power banks and lithium batteries. From a Batik Air flight with its cabin filled with smoke reportedly from a burning power bank, to an Air Busan plane catching fire while preparing for departure at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea – these incidents have raised concerns within the industry.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, there has been an increase in incidents of overheating lithium batteries on planes. In 2024, three such incidents were recorded globally within a fortnight, compared to just under one incident a week in 2018. Singapore Airlines’ website provides details on the treatment of rechargeable battery packs, also known as power banks, as spare lithium batteries, which are not allowed in checked-in baggage and must be carried as cabin baggage.
The move by Singapore Airlines and Scoot serves as a proactive step to enhance safety measures, in line with the aviation industry’s ongoing efforts to mitigate potential risks associated with the transportation of lithium batteries and power banks on commercial flights.
