Emirates tightens power bank policy to prevent battery fires mid-flight
Emirates has introduced a new policy banning the use of power banks during flights, responding to growing safety concerns over lithium battery incidents onboard aircraft.
In line with this, the UAE flag carrier announced that starting October 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be allowed to use power banks in-flight. Under the new rules, passengers may carry one power bank with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, but it must remain switched off throughout the flight. Charging power banks using the aircraft’s power outlets will be prohibited. Additionally, power banks must be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat in front of passengers, and storing them in overhead bins or checked baggage will no longer be allowed.
Emirates stressed that these measures aim to enhance passenger safety by enabling cabin crew to quickly respond to any battery-related emergencies.
“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,” the airline said in an official statement.
The concern stems from the nature of power banks themselves, which use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries that carry the risk of overheating due to a process called thermal runaway. This happens when a battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate, potentially causing fires, explosions, and the release of toxic gases. While many smartphones have built-in protections to prevent overcharging, some power banks lack these safety features, increasing the risk onboard.
The new policy comes after a recent incident on August 5, 2025, when a KLM flight KL792 from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Amsterdam (AMS) faced an emergency after a passenger’s power bank caught fire mid-flight, filling the cabin with smoke. The cabin crew quickly responded, putting out the fire and securing a safe landing for the flight with no injuries reported.
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In light of such events and growing safety concerns, other airlines in Asia, including Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Thai Airways, AirAsia, China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines, have also tightened restrictions on carrying and using power banks during flights.The post Emirates tightens power bank policy to prevent battery fires mid-flight appeared first on AeroTime.
Emirates has introduced a new policy banning the use of power banks during flights, responding to growing safety…
The post Emirates tightens power bank policy to prevent battery fires mid-flight appeared first on AeroTime.
