by The investigators have found that a fire aircraft fire in South Korea was probably caused by a failure of the Power Bank. The Air Busan flight was devoured at Gimhae International Airport in Flames in January, causing three passengers to cause injuries. It is believed that the combustion was probably the result of the insulation in a portable battery and that burns through the overhead cabin locker – although the final report does not have to be published.
The results come when airlines tighten their rules for portable batteries. Several large Asian operators now have many stricter guidelines for power banks in their luggage, including those in Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. Here is everything you need to know.
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Can I take a portable battery in the hold and the cabin?
As a rule, most airlines do not allow passengers to bring portable batteries or electricity banks into their hold. The international civil aviation organization, which coordinates global aviation regulation, has banned lithium-ion batteries from the loads of the load since 2016, although there are only slight differences between airlines.
British Airways, for example, outlined in their instructions that all battery -operated devices are prohibited in the checked luggage. In hand luggage, you should “be packed to prevent accidental activation”, while “damaged batteries” are fully prohibited.
Ryanair and Jet2 have similar advice, the latter explained: “Every customer may travel in their cabin luggage with a maximum of 20 replacement/loose lithium batteries (including electricity benches), provided that each battery is protected individually to prevent short circuit.”
Some Asian airlines even have stricter rules. From March 1st, all passengers on South Korean airlines must keep their portable chargers within the range of the arm. This means that you are not only forbidden from Hold luggage, but also from the overhead tanks -you have to be essentially in your person. In a statement, a representative of the country’s Ministry of Transport said that this should make the fear of the risk of battery fires easier.
Thai Airways, the country’s flag carrier, introduced a similar measure. China Airlines has now announced or calculated a ban on using electricity banks in their aircraft. Singapore Airlines and his subsidiary follow the same guidelines.
What happens if you have a lithium battery in the checked luggage?
Lithium-ion batteries have been used for decades to supply handheld devices such as phones and laptops with electricity and are usually used in portable electricity banks. Those in portable batteries, e-cigarettes and e-scooters are generally less regulated than those in smartphones, and therefore the associated risk is higher.
As a result, power banks have been banned from the certified luggage for years. The Air Busan incident could be an example of what experts warn: batteries can generate and fire extreme heat when the devices are short-circuited or damaged. Exposure to water or other elements can also lead to burning or exploding – something that is particularly dangerous if they are not observed in a stop.
If the batteries radiate smoke during a flight or are set on fire, the members of the cabin crew are usually trained to check the object in water or to place them in pockets with thermal containment. Occasionally, aircraft makes an emergency landing if the combustion is more difficult to contain.
What about my mobile phone battery?
Mobile phone batteries can sometimes also be perceived as a danger in the cabin. Last week, a plane plane had to return to Paris in the middle of a flight after a passenger dropped his phone into a breathing ventilation. The employees were concerned that the effects could have damaged his battery, which made them a fire risk.
Can I take a vape or other electrical objects in an aircraft cabin?
As with portable batteries, some vapes and e-cigarettes contain lithium-ion batteries and should therefore always be in your hand luggage-not in hold. They should be completely switched off (and not only in sleep mode), and replacement batteries should be packed individually.
Additional e-liquids are treated as much as other liquids in cabin bags that depend on the airport. This often means put it in a clear plastic bag and ensure that it does not exceed 100 milliliters.
It is worth noting that vaping like smoking is prohibited during flights (and probably also subject to the same rules as smoking at airports).
Other battery -operated objects such as wheelchairs or mobility aids can be permitted in the hold or in the aircraft cabin. This often means that the airline must be contacted in advance for approval. In which part of the aircraft in which they are approved depends on the type of battery.
If your luggage has a built-in battery or is an “intelligent bag”, it is worth checking the regulations of the airlines before flying. However, there are some exceptions, depending on the size of the battery and its ability to be completely switched off. On the flights of British Airways, for example, intelligent bags are not included in flights.
Which other objects are prohibited from the hold and the cabin in airplanes?
The list of restricted objects of the civil aviation authority is extensive and includes firearms, lighter liquids, fireworks, chemicals and more. Some objects, such as party poppers, are fully prohibited, while others are permitted under certain circumstances, such as “non-infectious veterinary samples”.
You can find detailed information on restricted elements on the website of the civil aviation authority HereOr inquire with your airline.
