EasyJet is one of the airlines that’s banned the item from checked bags (Image: Getty)
Passengers have been warned that they must not pack common electrical items in their hold baggage and issued strict rules about carrying them in cabin luggage by airlines.
Some carriers have begun completely banning power banks that people use to charge their phones and tablets due to safety concerns. Generally, power banks are only permitted in carry-on, not checked luggage, amid fears they could explode and catch fire mid-flight. However, some of the main budget airlines operating UK routes still permit power banks and batteries on board – but only with restrictions.
Power banks have become popular because they offer essential, portable, and fast-charging power for smartphones and other devices while on the move, easing battery anxiety. They are affordable, compact, and versatile, enabling users to stay connected without needing a wall outlet, making them perfect for travel.
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, and now Emirates have prohibited the batteries. Emirates states, like many airlines, that the devices cannot be used during the flight. In certain circumstances, they will be permitted on planes provided they are switched off and stored under your seat – not in the overhead cabin – and their rules came into effect in October.
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Power banks contain lithium batteries, which can cause fires (Image: Getty)
According to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety experts, lithium batteries pose a danger on planes primarily because they can enter “thermal runaway,” a phenomenon in which a battery experiences a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature, leading to fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes.
Ryanair passengers must ensure spare lithium batteries (including power banks) are individually protected to prevent short circuits by placing them in their original retail packaging, insulating terminals with tape over exposed areas, or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.
Passengers may carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries, provided each does not exceed 100 Wh. These must be carried in hand luggage only.
They should not be placed in the overhead locker. Instead, they should be placed in cabin baggage under the seat in front or kept on your person.
EasyJet requires all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries, and power banks to be kept in cabin hand luggage only, as they are strictly banned from hold luggage owing to fire hazards.
Power banks under 100Wh (approximately 27,000mAh) are permitted without prior approval, while those between 100 and 160Wh will need airline authorisation. Any batteries housed within portable electronic devices must also be transported as carry-on baggage.
TUI’s regulations prohibit loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries from being carried in checked baggage. These items must be kept in hand luggage only.
Power banks must generally not exceed 100Wh, and terminals must be protected against short circuits. TUI insists that all power banks must be kept in hand luggage at all times.
They should be packed in a way that prevents short circuits, either in their original packaging or with the terminals taped over.
As a general rule, battery capacity is capped at 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery, and power banks are not permitted to be used for charging devices or recharged while on board.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
