Emirates Airline will ban the use of all power banks onboard its flights from 1 October, citing safety concerns over lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry.
Passengers will still be allowed to carry one power bank under 100 Watt Hours, but new rules mean they cannot be used to charge personal devices or be recharged using the aircraft’s power supply. Power banks must also remain in the cabin, either in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat, and cannot be stored in overhead bins or checked luggage. All powerbanks accepted for transport must also have capacity rating information available.
The decision follows a comprehensive safety review. The airline highlighted that increased passenger use of power banks has coincided with a rise in incidents linked to lithium batteries, which can overheat and, in rare cases, trigger 'thermal runaway', a dangerous chain reaction that can cause fires or explosions.
By keeping power banks accessible and prohibiting their use in-flight, the airline aims to ensure cabin crew can quickly respond in the unlikely event of a battery fire.