Asian airlines are swiftly moving to ban the use and charging of power banks onboard flights, marking a significant industry-wide shift from precautionary measures to strict safety regulations. Singapore Airlines and its budget carrier, Scoot, will implement these restrictions starting April 1, 2025, joining a growing list of carriers enforcing similar bans due to concerns over lithium-ion battery-related fire incidents.
Airlines such as EVA Air, Thai Airways, AirAsia, Starlux Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, China Airlines, and Air Busan have already enacted similar policies, prioritizing passenger safety over convenience. These new measures reflect an increasing focus on preventing onboard fire hazards linked to overheating power banks.
Airlines Implementing Power Bank Bans
- Singapore Airlines & Scoot – From April 1, 2025, passengers will be prohibited from using or charging power banks onboard, although they will still be allowed to carry them in hand luggage.
- EVA Air – Beginning March 1, 2025, all power bank use and charging will be banned on flights across all routes.
- Starlux Airlines & Tigerair Taiwan – Both airlines have already implemented bans on power bank use and charging onboard.
- Thai Airways – Effective March 15, 2025, passengers will be unable to use or charge power banks during flights.
- AirAsia – Also starting March 15, 2025, power bank usage and charging will be strictly prohibited onboard.
- China Airlines – From March 1, 2025, passengers will not be allowed to use or charge power banks, aligning with updated safety protocols.
- Air Busan – Enforcing one of the strictest policies, Air Busan requires passengers to keep power banks on their person at all times, rather than storing them in carry-on bags.
