Airlines Tighten Power Bank Rules Worldwide After Surge in Flight Fire Incidents

Airlines Tighten Power Bank Rules Worldwide After Surge in Flight Fire Incidents

Travellers relying on portable power banks for phones and gadgets are now facing stricter airline restrictions as aviation authorities move to curb growing safety concerns linked to lithium batteries. The new measures follow a rise in incidents involving overheating, smoke, and fires caused by power banks on aircraft, prompting global regulators to take action.

In March 2026, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) introduced tighter restrictions on lithium battery-powered power banks. Under the updated rules, passengers can carry only two power banks and are banned from charging them during flights. Travellers are also prohibited from checking power banks into aircraft holds and are instead advised to keep them in the cabin, where any potential issue can be seen and addressed by crew members.

Safety concerns intensified recently after an EasyJet flight bound for the United Kingdom was diverted to Rome when a passenger reported that a power bank was charging inside luggage stored in the aircraft hold. The flight from Hurghada in Egypt to London Luton was nearly three hours into its journey, cruising at 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea, when the captain decided to divert “in line with safety regulations.” There was no issue with the power bank itself, but regulations strictly prohibit power banks from being charged in the hold during a flight. The airline provided hotel accommodation and meals where available, and the flight was rescheduled for the following morning. The airline’s rules state that power banks are accepted on aircraft in cabin baggage only but are prohibited from use and must not be used to charge other devices.

Similar incidents have raised alarm globally. In November 2025, a lithium power bank burst into flames in a passenger’s pocket at Melbourne Airport, leaving the man with burns to his fingers and leg. In January 2025, authorities said a portable power bank was the likely cause of a fire that destroyed a passenger plane in South Korea, leaving three people with minor injuries. In March 2026, a plane departing from Tokyo to New York was evacuated after a portable battery charger caught fire while the plane was taxiing; two seats were burned and the flight was cancelled. In April 2026, an Air Canada flight experienced an overheating power bank that cabin crew placed into a thermal containment bag to prevent fire from spreading.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has linked 29 in-flight incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat so far this year to power banks on flights connected to the United States. The agency recorded 97 such incidents in 2025, marking a 94 percent increase compared to the previous year. Lithium batteries, including power banks and portable chargers, can act as ignition sources and potentially start onboard fires. Lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins or in carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored, which can delay detection of thermal runaway and firefighting measures in flight, increasing the risk to safety.

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Aviation safety experts explain that lithium batteries pose a danger on aircraft primarily because of their vulnerability to “thermal runaway” – a chain reaction where a damaged, overcharged, or overheated battery undergoes a rapid, uncontrolled rise in temperature, leading to fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes. If lithium batteries are damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme heat, they can go into thermal runaway, causing serious safety hazards. Traditional firefighting methods using Halon extinguishers can briefly suppress open flames, but they do not halt the thermal runaway process. The primary response involves using large amounts of water to cool the battery and suppress flames.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issued directives in January 2026 warning airlines about the growing dangers associated with portable chargers. The regulator barred passengers from checking in power banks, prohibited onboard charging, and limited travellers to carrying only two devices. The NCAA also directed airlines to ensure power banks are not stored in overhead compartments and must remain in visible areas during flights, such as under the passenger’s seat, in seat-back pockets, or in any other location designated by the airline. The directive took effect on March 1, 2026.

Nigerian carriers, including Ibom Air and United Nigeria Airlines, have already begun enforcing the restrictions. Ibom Air announced full compliance with the NCAA safety directive, stating that passengers will no longer be allowed to place power banks in overhead bins or checked-in baggage. The airline explained that lithium-ion batteries, when overheated or damaged, can enter a state known as “thermal runaway,” causing them to ignite fires that are extremely difficult to control, particularly at cruising altitude where emergency response options are limited. Under the rules, power banks rated up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed without restriction, while those between 100 and 160Wh require prior airline approval. Devices exceeding 160Wh are strictly banned.

Airlines across Asia Pacific have been among the first to implement stricter rules. Singapore Airlines joined major global carriers including Emirates, Air Busan, and Cathay Pacific in imposing new travel safety protocols, limiting passengers to carrying no more than two power banks in carry-on luggage and prohibiting in-flight charging of devices using portable batteries. Hong Kong and Macao airports announced new restrictions citing safety risks linked to lithium battery-powered devices that have caught fire on board. Only flight crew members are excluded from the restrictions, as they may continue using power banks as required for aircraft operations.

Airlines in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have also tightened regulations, while China has banned uncertified power banks on domestic flights, with thousands of devices confiscated at Chinese airports. Thai Airways and AirAsia are among other carriers enforcing stricter power bank use aboard aircraft. American Airlines began requiring that flyers keep the devices visible when in use, along with limits on the number of devices they can bring and their watt-hour capacity.

The ICAO’s new specifications represent the most significant global alignment of power bank rules in recent years. The decision reflects emerging expertise around risks presented by passengers’ lithium batteries, with the organization stating the new measures will enhance safety and peace of mind for passengers and airlines alike. The addendum to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air has been provided to all ICAO member states for implementation.

Aviation regulators continue to urge passengers to charge devices fully before boarding, use airport lounge and terminal charging facilities, and familiarize themselves with airline-specific power bank policies before flying, as additional restrictions may vary between carriers. Passengers are advised to carry spare batteries, including power banks, in hand luggage instead of checked luggage, ensure devices are below 100Wh, check with the operator for devices between 100 and 160Wh, and avoid using power banks to charge devices onboard the aircraft. Airlines have warned that any operator or passenger found violating these safety regulations could face penalties, and that strict adherence to onboard safety regulations is critical for preventing serious incidents given that lithium battery fires can escalate rapidly.

Airlines Tighten Power Bank Rules Worldwide After Surge in Flight Fire Incidents