Why are airlines forbidding portable chargers on flights?

Diverse Asia airlines They are restricting the transport of lithium batteries on their flights after a series of overheating incidents and fires on board.

One Power Bank which is portable and has lithium battery, was identified as the possible cause of a fire on an Air Busan flight in January, while the plane was waiting for takeoff. The information is from the South Korea Ministry of Transport, which sent a press release, citing the investigation committee and forensic services.

Researchers found “several electric melting brands in the remains of a power bank,” according to the statement.

Travelers often carry the lithium-ion lithium banks to charge their cell phones, tablets, laptops and cameras during the flight. These compact devices maintain loaded devices, allowing passengers to play or watch downloaded movies to entertain each other on long flights.

However, manufacturing problems, bad use and aging of batteries may increase the risk of fire as these batteries use flammable materials. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recorded more than 500 incidents involving lithium batteries on flights such as smoke, fire or extreme heat in the last 20 years.

Which airlines have changed the rules?

South Korea has implemented restrictions across the country, which came into force this month, banning passengers from storing power banks and electronic cigarettes in the upper compartments on all airlines in the country.

Now, passengers can Store the portable devices only in the pockets of the seat or under the armchairs. The new regulation also prohibits loading the portable device on the plane, connecting it to the USB output from the seat.

“The terminals of a Power Bank should be covered with tape or placed in a protective bag, or plastic bag (for example, zipper bag) to avoid contact with other metals,” said the Ministry of Transport of South Korea.

Thai Airways has announced that since March 15, passengers cannot use or load portable appliances during flights after “fire on board fires on international airlines, suspected of being related to power bank use.”

From April, Singapore Airlines will ban passengers from portable devices to carry cell phones and personal devices during flights . Also, it will no longer be allowed to load the power banks on the USB doors of the aircraft.

Air Asia, a low -cost airline, has said it will require passengers to store power banks under the seat seats or pockets, as well as prohibiting the loading of portable electronic devices during the flight.

Taiwan’s leading airlines, such as Eva Air, China Airlines and Uni Air, also banned the use of portable portable cargoers.

Hong Kong’s aviation regulator said that, from April 7, Passengers will not be able to use power banks during the flight or store lithium batteries in the upper compartments . Change occurs after an incident where a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou was diverted due to a fire caused by a portable loading device in the upper compartment.

To the lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in Power Banks due to their high energy density and relatively low cost, according to CHRYSTAL ZHANG Associate Professor at Stem College at Rmit University. They can store an excess of energy without being too bulky, becoming a popular choice for high capacity portable devices.

Zhang explained to CNN TRAVEL That power banks are essential on long flights, business travelers, and anyone who depends on mobile devices, as most airports do not offer sufficient loading stations. She added that a general prohibition of its use on board would cause major disorders to passengers.

Can I take a power bank on my trip?

According to the rules of FAA and US TSA, lithium-ion batteries, such as Power Banks, should be transported only in hand baggage.

In general, most airlines allow each passenger to load up to two lithium-ion power banks with a 100-160 watt-hour capacity (WH) in the cabin.

However, most Power Banks on the market use the Miliampere-Hora (MAH) unit to measure battery capacity. Therefore, look for those with capacity of up to 43,000 mAh to comply with the rules of most airlines.

A 100 WH Power Bank (approximately 27,000 mAh for a typical 3.7 volt battery) is sufficient to charge an iPhone 13 Pro Max three to four times.

But the possibility of using them during the flight depends on the airline (and there are exceptions to portable medical devices).

Here is what you can take in your hand luggage:

• Korean Air: Each passenger can take a maximum of five 100 WH battery packs, adding hand and dispatched luggage.
• Asiana Airlines: Sobresaters lithium batteries, up to 160 WH, should be packed in short circuit test packaging.
• Singapore Airlines: Customers can take Power Banks with a capacity of up to 100 H, and the 100 H to 160 WH need to approve the airline.
• Cathay Pacific: Power Banks should have up to 100 WH.
• Hong Kong Express: Lithium-ion batteries should have a maximum of 100 H and should be protected individually against short circuits.
• Qantas: It is allowed to take a maximum of two spare Power Banks with up to 160 WH.
• Virgin Australia: Sprousing batteries should be transported only in hand luggage, protected from short circuit, such as original packaging or separate plastic bags.
• Air Asia: Passengers can take Power Banks with up to 100 WH or 20,000 mAh. For 100 WH to 160 WH, approval is required at the check-in counter.

In addition, there are no limits for transporting alkaline dried batteries (such as the Energizer brand), as long as the voltage does not exceed 12 volts and are “protected against damage”. This can be done keeping the batteries in their original packaging or covering the terminals with non-metallic tape, or placing them in plastic bags.

The problem of lithium-ion batteries

Cell phones, laptops, drones, weather and even electric bicycles and scooters are fed by lithium-ion batteries. These components may overheat due to a phenomenon called “thermal rupture”, a chain reaction that can lead to a fire or even an explosion.

Lithium-ion batteries, used in Power Banks, contain highly reactive and flammable materials, according to Sonya Brown, senior aerospace design teacher at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

“Lithium batteries can act as a source of ignition or as fuel for a fire started elsewhere. The risk of ignition increases when batteries are damaged, swollen, have manufacturing defects, are overloaded or overheated,” Brown told Brown to CNN TRAVEL .

She also suggested that accidental contact with other battery terminals can “cause unintentional discharge” and recommended that passengers cover the power banks and spare batteries with non -conductive material or pack separately to avoid contact with other metals.

Brown also directed passengers to inspect their power banks before traveling, checking signs of swelling or external damage, and considering the disposal of damaged devices according to local regulations.

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Source: CNN Brasil