Power banks are often brought along by travellers to charge their handphone conveniently without having to look for a power outlet to do so.
However, new restrictions regarding the use of power banks onboard Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot flights have been introduced, which will come into effect starting April 1.
Power bank usage banned on SIA & Scoot flights
In a Facebook post shared by Singapore Airlines today, it revealed its latest advisory regarding the use of power banks during flights.
According to the notice, passengers onboard all SIA flights will no longer be allowed to charge their electronic devices using portable power banks.
This also includes charging power banks via the onboard USB ports, which will banned as well.
Given the fact that power banks use lithium batteries, they must be packed into cabin baggage and not checked luggage.
Additionally, those using power banks with a Watt-hour (Wh) rating between 100 and 160 need to get prior approval from SIA, while power banks with a much higher rating will be strictly prohibited.
In a similar fashion, Scoot also issued the same advisory regarding using power banks during its flights.
Both SIA and Scoot called upon passengers for their understanding on the matter while assuring that “safety will always be our top priority”.
The ban is in lockstep with what other airlines did, such as AirAsia and Thai Airways, where it will come into effect starting Mar 15.
This move comes after a spate of cases involving power banks catching fire or exploding, with the most recent case occurring during a Batik Air flight from Johor Bahru (JB) to Bangkok.
@kentmaherr 30 minit sebelum landing, berlaku detik mencemaskan sbb berlakunya kebakaran dalam luggage compartment dalam flight BOEING 737 Batik Air Perjalanan JHB ( JOHOR BHARU) to DMK (DON MEUNG BANGKOK) 11.20am waktu Malaysia, semua penumpang di kejutkan dengan kepulan asap pekat keluar dari luggage compartment dengan bau kebakaran yg menyengat hidung. Alhamdulillah penumpang dan flight attendant bekerjsama memadamkan kebakaran dan keadaan kembali terkawal dan aman. Setibanya di lapangan terbang Don Meung, pasukan bomba dan ambulance siap sedia menanti untuk memastikan keselamatan kesemua penumpang, kru kapal dan captain. Terima kasih atas tindakan pantas dan kerjasama yg di berikan. Sepanjang hidup saya pernah travel, ini lah kali pertama mengalami kejadian seumpama ini, hanya mampu mengucap dan mengenang anak dan keluarga serta sahabat2 tersayang yg di tinggalkan di Malaysia. Terima kasih Allah SWT atas peluang masih bernyawa! #batikair #BOEING737 #KEBAKARANPESAWAT #JHB #DMK #FYP #powerbankterbakar ##FYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP #FORYOUPAGE #plane #firefighter ♬ original sound – KENT
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