Flying Emirates anytime soon? There’s a ban on power banks on board coming into effect very soon!
Starting October 10th, passengers will be prohibited from using power banks on flights following an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry.
Passengers will not be permitted to use the power bank, nor charge it using the aircraft’s power source.
The airline said, “New regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.”
Is it a complete ban on power banks on board Emirates?
Not exactly. Only under the following conditions can flyers carry power banks on Emirates following the rule this winter:
- It must be under 100 Watt Hours
- It may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard
- Charging it using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted
- Capacity rating information must be made available
- It may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you
- It is not permitted to be stored in checked-in luggage
Long flights generally mean passengers tend to carry one or more power banks to ensure device battery life. However, quite a few aircrafts in recent years have power outlets near the seat, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
With Emirates leading the ban on power banks, other airlines may soon follow suit. The safety concerns are definitely not to be taken lightly.
If the battery is overcharged, it could cause rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase, leading to a potential fire, explosion or the release of toxic gas.
Fly safe and watch this space for more updates! And if you’re flying via the Zayed International Airport, here are some lounges you could hit up and charge your devices ahead of time.