The increase in accidents involving lithium batteries on airplanes has led several Asian airlines to impose restrictions on carrying power banks on aircraft.
Asian airlines have announced restrictions on carrying power banks on their flights. Recent incidents involving accidents and fires with lithium batteries have raised concerns among airlines.
In January 2025, Air Busan reported a fire on one of its aircraft involving a lithium battery. South Korean authorities found the power bank with signs of melting.
The South Korean government implemented nationwide measures prohibiting passengers from storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead compartments.
“Power bank charging ports must be covered with insulating tape or placed in a protective case or plastic bag to prevent contact with other metals,” stated the Ministry of Transport of South Korea.
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Authority will prohibit passengers from using power banks during flights and storing lithium batteries in overhead compartments starting April 7.
Recently, the airline also experienced a fire on one of its flights due to lithium batteries.
Airlines such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, Qantas, Virgin Australia, and AirAsia have implemented specific restrictions on power banks on their flights.
Lithium batteries can overheat due to a chain reaction that may result in a fire or explosion. This phenomenon is called thermal runaway.
“The risk increases when the batteries are damaged, swollen, have manufacturing defects, are overloaded, or overheat,” said Sonya Brown, senior professor of aerospace design at UNSW, to CNN.
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