Emirates has announced a ban on the use of portable chargers, or power banks, on board its flights starting October 1, while allowing passengers to carry one unit with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours in their cabin baggage.
A press release published on the Emirates website explained that the use of power banks is prohibited inside the aircraft cabin, whether to charge devices from them or to charge the power banks themselves using the aircraft's power supply.
Emirates' new regulations include the following:
Customers may carry only one power bank with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours.
Power banks may not be used to charge any personal device on board.
Charging power banks using the aircraft's power supply is prohibited.
Every power bank accepted must carry clear information on its power rating.
Power banks may not be placed in the overhead bins in the cabin and must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front.
Power banks are prohibited in checked baggage, in line with the current procedure.
Following a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to reduce the risks related to power banks on board. Recent years have seen a significant increase in travelers' use of these devices, leading to a rise in the number of lithium battery-related incidents across the aviation industry in general.
Power banks mainly run on lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, rechargeable batteries designed to power devices on the go. These batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution, and the ions move back and forth between the electrodes during charging and discharging.
If a battery is overcharged or damaged, what is known as "thermal runaway" can occur, a self-accelerating reaction that leads to a large, uncontrollable rise in temperature and may cause fires, explosions or the release of toxic gases.
While most advanced phones and devices fitted with lithium batteries include built-in protection systems to prevent overcharging, many low-quality power banks lack this feature, increasing the level of risk. All power banks are subject to the new regulations on board Emirates flights.
The new regulations adopted by Emirates aim to significantly reduce these risks by banning the use of power banks while on board. The requirement to keep these units in easily accessible places in the cabin also allows the cabin crew to intervene quickly and take control in the event of a fire.
Safety is one of Emirates' core values and a key pillar of all its operations and operational practices. The airline affirms its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety and continuously enhancing them, ensuring the safety of passengers and employees at all times.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
