China Airlines announced a new measure on Wednesday regarding the use of power banks. Several airlines have since followed suit.
As of March 1st, the use of power banks or other batteries is no longer permitted on board a China Airlines flight. EVA Air swiftly followed the company with a similar message on its social media. The airlines advise passengers to fully charge their devices before boarding, or to use the in-seat connections on board to charge electronic devices. With this decision, the airlines aim to improve cabin safety during flights. The reasons for the measure are likely to be previous incidents in which the devices caught fire on board. All smaller Taiwanese airlines also announced the measure.
EVA Air emphasized that passengers may only carry power banks and lithium batteries in carry-on baggage and may not check in power banks as hold baggage. Passengers should preferably carry the items with them and pack them properly to prevent damage. Many other carriers around the globe allow power banks on board. However, as EVA Air emphasised, the devices must be held in carry-on baggage.
Air Busan
In late January, an Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire in South Korea. The aircraft was about to depart for Hong Kong from Gimhae International Airport when a fire broke out in the tail section of the aircraft. This happened around 10:30 PM local time. All 176 occupants, including 169 passengers, six cabin crew members, and an aircraft technician, managed to leave the Airbus via emergency slides. The fire damaged the aircraft irreparably. Investigators later learned that a power bank was at fault. As a result, South Korea announced a ban on power banks in the overhead compartments in the cabin.