By Natalie King,Sarah Barltrop
Copyright walesonline
Two leading airlines have brought in stringent regulations around hand luggage power banks. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are set to prohibit the use of portable chargers during flights, following in the footsteps of other carriers like Emirates that have similar restrictions. The ban will stop travellers from using their power banks while airborne and prevent them from charging devices via seat-mounted USB ports. Although passengers may still carry these devices into the cabin, they cannot be operated and must remain visible at all times. These measures have been introduced amid growing concerns about lithium battery safety during air travel, reports the Express . The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) released an updated advisory last week following reports of 50 power bank-related incidents. The authority stated: “Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins and or in carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crew members. Because of this, detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures may be delayed in flight, increasing the risk to safety.” Both Vietjet Air and Vietnam Airlines – the latter operating services between London Heathrow and destinations including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – are amongst numerous carriers introducing such restrictions this year. Air Busan pioneered the complete ban on power bank usage following an onboard fire incident in January. The aircraft required decommissioning due to the extent of the damage sustained. Emirates and Singapore Airlines, both of which operate flights from the UK, have also implemented restrictions on power banks. Eva Air, Thai Airways and Air Asia have likewise introduced bans. In Japan, all airlines will need to adhere to guidelines from its transport ministry. This stipulates that passengers must keep power banks in view at all times whilst on board. The main concern with lithium batteries on aeroplanes is the risk of fire due to thermal runaway, an uncontrolled overheating event that can result in intense heat, smoke, and potentially explosions. Lithium batteries are used to power a wide array of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets and electric vehicles.
