Brits warned that very popular travel item is banned in hold luggage on flights from UK
HOLIDAYMAKERS are warned to triple check their suitcases before heading to the airport because of a strict ban on a certain item.
A number of onboard plane fires have led to new rules being introduced when it comes to travelling with power banks.
The current rules which have been in place since 2016 ban portable chargers being carried in checked luggage.
This is because of fears of them setting on fire, with it unable to be contained if it happens in the hold.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) warns: “Poorly manufactured, faulty and misused lithium batteries and those which have not been protected against short circuit can experience something called ‘thermal runaway’.
“This results in them getting so hot that they can catch fire, explode and ignite other nearby batteries.
“If that were to happen on the flight deck it could significantly disrupt the operation of the aircraft and cause serious injury to flight crew.”
Andrew McConnell, a spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority, told The Sun: “Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks.
“If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish – both in the cabin or hold of an aircraft.
“Correct handling reduces risk. Lithium batteries should be carried in your carry-on baggage.
“Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely turned off and not in standby mode.”
Anyone who tries to check in a suitcase with a power bank faces being removed from the flight along with the luggage.
Back in 2022, a woman was stopped from boarding because airport staff suspected she had a power bank in her suitcase.
Despite this not being the case, she was forced to catch a later flight after being stopped from getting on her initial flight.
Also that year, journalist Pandora was refused boarding after mistakenly checking in a “smart” suitcase which had a built in power bank.
Currently, UK airlines still allow power banks in hand luggage and overhead lockers.
But a number of plane fires have led to a crack down on power banks in carry on luggage by some airlines.
Back in January, an Air Busan plane caught on fire due to a malfunctioning power bank, which led to the plane being decommissioned due to the extent of the damage.
What do the new power bank rules mean for travellers?
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot weighs in.
AS staying connected becomes ever-more important, a ban on the handy gadget that can keep our devices topped up could be seen as a pain.
But the catastrophic consequences of a fire on a plane are an obvious reason to make rules stricter.
After countless incidents – and with so many counterfeit and faulty goods out there – it makes sense they are cracking down.
But airlines do need to understand the need for us to be able to top up our devices in the air. With plans afoot to get rid of physical boarding passes in the coming years, making sure we’re able to use our devices will become ever more essential.
Adapting plane interiors to include USB ports will alleviate the need to top up on the go.
And more needs to be done to highlight the new rules – and the dangers these devices can pose.
This led to a full ban of power banks being taken in hand luggage, the first of its kind in the world.
Other airlines have followed suit with slightly less restrictive guidelines, but still banning the use of power banks in the cabin, as well as banning them in overhead lockers.
This includes Eva Air, Thai Airways and Air Asia as well as Tigerair and Starlux.
Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines – who operate flights from the UK – have also introduced the strict power bank ban.
It comes days after the US Transportation Security Administration updated its guidelines on checked luggage restrictions in regard to power banks.
They must only be in hand luggage, not checked luggage.
But some rules have been eased – 11 new items are allowed in hand luggage in the US including certain medications and food.