Two weeks after aviation authorities significantly tightened safety rules on power banks, confusion persists among travelers. Many passengers remain unaware that while they can bring power banks onboard, using them to charge phones or other devices is prohibited.
According to the aviation industry on Thursday, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s "Enhanced In-Flight Safety Management Measures for Power Banks" took effect on October 20. The regulation, proposed by Korea and adopted as an international standard, aims to prevent in-flight fire incidents at their source.
Under the revised rules, passengers may bring up to two power banks of 160Wh (approximately 43,000mAh) or less per person onboard. Products with capacities between 100Wh and 160Wh require prior approval from the airline.
The most significant change is the ban on in-flight use. Charging the power bank itself is prohibited, as is using a power bank to charge other electronic devices such as smartphones. The ban covers both wired connections and wireless charging.
◇ 678 Fires in Five Years Highlight 'Thermal Runaway' Risk
The tightened regulations follow a recent surge in lithium-ion battery fire incidents. According to National Fire Agency statistics, a total of 678 fires related to lithium-ion batteries occurred over the past five years from 2020 to 2024. Fires rose from 98 cases in 2020 to 179 in 2023, with 117 cases recorded last year, underscoring a persistent risk.
Unlike ordinary fires, battery fires involve a "thermal runaway" phenomenon, in which internal separators are damaged and short circuits occur. Once thermal runaway begins, temperatures can soar to thousands of degrees within a short period, potentially leading to explosive fires.
◇ "I Didn't Know," Passenger Complaints Mount Amid Wireless Charging Challenges
In the early days of the rule's implementation, confusion has surfaced onboard. Flight attendants are patrolling cabins to stop power bank use, but many passengers have reacted with puzzlement. Enforcement has proved particularly difficult with passengers using wireless charging pads or MagSafe-style power banks, as many do not recognize such use as prohibited.
"The rules were suddenly tightened, so parts of them have not been sufficiently communicated yet," an aviation industry official said. "In particular, wireless charging and seat power connections are sometimes not recognized by passengers as charging activities, so more guidance is needed."
Some argue that sufficient publicity and follow-up measures must accompany the rules to ensure their effectiveness. Unlike newer aircraft equipped with charging ports at every seat, older aircraft used on long-haul routes often lack charging facilities, meaning passengers on those flights are likely to face considerable inconvenience from the power bank ban.
"Newer aircraft may cause less inconvenience in terms of charging, but routes operated mainly with older aircraft could create real inconvenience for passengers," another aviation industry official said. "Follow-up measures that strike a balance between safety and user convenience are important."
