Virgin Australia is reviewing its rules on portable power banks following a mid-air fire on one of its planes and a string of similar incidents on flights around the world, prompting calls for tighter regulations.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it would soon release a report into the Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart, on which a power bank caught alight in an overhead compartment in July.
The incident follows several recent international cases, including an Air China flight that made an emergency landing last weekend in Shanghai after a lithium battery caught fire.
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An Air Bussan plane was also destroyed earlier this year at South Korea’s Gimhae Airport after a similar incident involving a power bank.
A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said the airline is now “reviewing the carriage and use of power banks on board” and changes were already being implemented.
“While Virgin Australia’s review is underway, we are asking guests travelling with power banks to keep them within sight and easily accessible at all times throughout the flight,” the spokeswoman said.
One passenger seated near the on-board fire in July described seeing a “ball of fire” leap from the locker as crew and travellers grabbed bottles of water to douse the flames.
“We were about 10 minutes from landing and the smoke smell was awful. We had to cover our noses and mouths until we touched down,” they said.
Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) federal secretary Teri O’Toole called for tougher legislation on the use of the devices onboard.
“Any fire on an aircraft is dangerous. You’re 40,000 feet in the air in an aluminium tube full of fuel … the last thing you ever want is a fire,” Ms O’Toole said.
“Cabin crew are the first responders in the air and anything that makes their job safer, like tightening rules around known fire risks, should be a priority.”
The ATSB said there had been five in-flight fires involving power banks on Australian or Australian-registered aircraft since 2016.
Loading…Airlines tighten rules overseas
While international airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Korean Air all banned the use of power banks on flights this year, Australian carriers still allow them, though rules vary.
Emirates this month became the latest airline to ban the use of power banks on flights due to safety concerns.
“There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry,” the airline said.
Calls to regulate power banks on Australian airlines
The FAAA wants the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to require power banks to be stored where passengers can see them.
“You can’t realistically ban power banks, but you can handle them safely. Keep them where you can see them and act quickly if something goes wrong,” Ms O’Toole said.
CASA sets aviation safety regulations, including rules for dangerous goods such as lithium batteries. Airlines then develop policies based on CASA guidance.
Virgin is reviewing the use of power banks on board with changes already being implemented. (ABC News)
CASA spokeswoman Larissa Kaye said the authority took the issue “very seriously.”
“It’s something we’re keeping a very close eye on and discussing with our international counterparts,” Ms Kaye said.
She said airlines must report power bank incidents to the ATSB.
“Millions of people fly every day with multiple lithium-powered devices and very few incidents, which indicates the current rules are working to keep people safe,” Ms Kay said.
Rise in dodgy battery packs
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said there was a 92 per cent increase in reported incidents involving lithium batteries between 2020 and 2022, overall.
The report noted the typical traveller now flies with at least four lithium battery devices.
The ACCC has issued 17 recalls of power banks since 2020, warning around 34,000 defective portable chargers remain in use.
“Some consumers have suffered serious burn injuries, and some have had their property damaged because of power banks overheating and catching fire,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes, but there are strict rules.
On Australian commercial flights, passengers can bring power banks in carry-on luggage only.
Qantas and Jetstar passengers are requested to keep power banks within reach.
On Australian commercial flights, passengers can only bring power banks in carry-on luggage. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
For Virgin Australia passengers the use of power banks on flights are under review. Passengers are required to keep power banks easily accessible during the flight and cabin crew may ask passengers to remove them from overhead lockers.
Rules vary across other airlines. Several Asian-Pacific and Middle East carriers have banned the use of power banks and/or storing them in overhead bins. It’s best to check the policy of your airline, before you fly.
Which airlines have banned using power banks on flights?
This year, many airlines introduced a ban on the use of power banks on board including:
EmiratesCathay PacificHong Kong AirlinesSingapore AirlinesThai AirwaysAirAsiaAir BusanScootSouthwest AirlinesVietnam AirlinesEVA AirChina AirlinesWhere should you pack your power banks?
The Flight Attendants Association of Australia recommends keeping power banks close by and not using them in-flight.
“The important thing is for passengers to understand that if you’ve got a power bank, the best place for it is where you can see it,” Ms O’Toole said.
“Either in the seat pocket, in your handbag, or at your feet. That way, if it starts to overheat or smoke, you can act immediately.”
Why do power banks ignite?
Power banks can ignite because of faults in lithium-ion batteries, damage, or overheating.
Cheap or poorly made devices are particularly at risk.
Why are power banks not allowed in checked baggage?
Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage because they contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which are a fire hazard.
If a battery malfunctions, overheats, or catches fire in the cargo hold, it can be difficult or impossible for crew to detect and extinguish the flames at 40,000 feet.
In the cabin, passengers and crew can see and respond quickly if a device starts smoking or overheating, which is why airlines require power banks to be carried in carry-on luggage only.