New regulations from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) banning power banks from checked baggage are now in force for passengers flying with Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and Wizz Air. The rules, introduced this year, take effect just in time for the summer travel season.
Airlines have prohibited power banks from flights following a spike in incidents involving these devices on board. Some carriers have imposed outright bans on portable chargers amid mounting safety fears after fires broke out mid-flight.
Power banks are only permitted in hand luggage, not checked baggage, over concerns they could explode or ignite during a flight. The CAA warned that 'more awareness' was needed, as portable chargers pose 'serious risks' of overheating or catching alight.
Key Regulations
The CAA's Jonathan Nicholson previously told BBC News that restrictions, including barring these devices from hold luggage, were not 'somebody being pedantic' or 'for the sake of it', urging passengers 'to do the right thing'.
Revised passenger and crew regulations require that power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage, individually protected when not in use, must not be recharged on board, and should not be used to charge other devices on the aircraft. A maximum of two power banks per person is allowed.
Power banks must meet UN Manual of Tests and Criteria requirements. For lithium-ion batteries, they must not exceed a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh; for lithium metal batteries, not exceed a lithium content of 2 g. Power banks up to 100 Wh or 2 g are allowed without operator approval; those between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require operator approval.
Airline-Specific Rules
easyJet implements stringent rules stating that all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries and power banks must be transported in cabin hand luggage exclusively, with an outright prohibition on hold luggage due to fire risks. easyJet sets a restriction of 15 portable electronic devices per traveller. Smart luggage is not accepted if the lithium battery cannot be easily detached and removed by the passenger.
Ryanair allows passengers to carry up to 15 personal electronic devices, including power banks. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be individually protected to prevent short circuits and transported in carry-on baggage only; they are not allowed in checked baggage.
TUI forbids passengers from carrying loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries in checked-in luggage. These items must be kept solely in hand luggage. Power banks must not generally exceed 100 Wh, and terminals must be shielded against short circuits. Devices should not be recharged while on board.
This follows an incident last week in which a UK-bound easyJet flight was diverted to Rome after a passenger placed a charging power bank in their hold luggage. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Emirates have all prohibited the batteries outright. Emirates stipulates that the devices must not be used during a flight and must be switched off and stored beneath the seat in front, with these rules taking effect in October.
According to safety specialists at the CAA, lithium batteries pose a considerable risk on aircraft due to their susceptibility to 'thermal runaway' – a process where a battery experiences a swift, uncontrolled temperature increase, resulting in fire, explosion and the emission of hazardous fumes.
