Carrying power banks on while going for vacations or trips has become a common practice for travelers, offering a convenient way to keep devices charged during long journeys or treks. However, recent incidents have raised serious safety concerns about the risks posed by these portable chargers.
Power banks, especially those with lithium batteries, have been known to overheat or catch fire under certain conditions. As a result, carrying these on airlines has been stopped and the airline services have begun to implement stricter regulations regarding their use and storage on flights. Understanding the potential dangers and following airline policies is crucial for ensuring safe air travel while keeping devices powered up.
A recent incident on a Hong Kong Airlines flight has once again brought in concerns over the safety of power banks on planes. A fire broke out in the overhead compartment of Flight HX115, just 15 minutes after takeoff, allegedly caused by a power bank. The quick sort to this of passengers and crew who used water and juice to douse the flames prevented a disaster, but the event highlighted the increasing dangers of carrying power banks onboard.
A Hong Kong Airlines flight en route from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to make an emergency landing in Fuzhou on Thursday after a power bank caught fire in the overhead luggage compartment.
It was an Airbus A320-232 (B-LPC), which had only been in the air for about 15 minutes when passengers and crew noticed smoke and flames coming from the overhead bin. Passengers and flight attendants used water and juice in an attempt to put out the fire. One passenger described the scene as “like a movie,” talking about the urgency of the situation.
Emergency landing in Fuzhou
The aircraft that was originally headed to Hong Kong from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, was diverted to Fuzhou Changle International Airport due to the fire. The flight landed safely, and passengers were taken off the plane via shuttle buses. While emergency services and fire trucks were on standby, their help was not needed as the fire had already been controlled.
How did the airlines respond?
Hong Kong Airlines confirmed that the fire had been fully extinguished and stated, “Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115, departing from Hangzhou to Hong Kong, diverted and landed safely at Fuzhou Changle International Airport due to a fire in the overhead compartment, which was successfully extinguished.” Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the number of passengers on board has not been disclosed.
The fire caused significant damage to the overhead compartment, with heavy charring visible, and flight attendants continued to pour liquids to prevent the fire from reigniting. Footage from the incident showed some passengers leaving their seats and crouching in the aisle before landing.
Change in the guidelines pertaining to power banks
Many airlines have updated their policies regarding in-flight use of portable chargers. For example, Singapore Airlines has announced that starting April 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be allowed to use portable chargers during flights.
Earlier this year, an Air Busan flight from Busan to Hong Kong also experienced a similar fire, which was believed to have been caused by a power bank. Following this and other incidents, several airlines in South Korea and Taiwan, including EVA Air, have tightened their regulations. EVA Air now bans the use of power banks and spare lithium batteries on board and prohibits them from being checked in.
