
Power banks a peril when used in the air
One flight accident does not necessarily pose a wider safety threat. But a recent spate of in-flight fires involving power banks has prompted aviation authorities across Asia to take action, and rightly so.
Advertisement
Under new rules effective from April 7, passengers will be barred from recharging power banks, and from using them to charge electronic devices, during flights. Stowing power banks in the overhead cabin bins also will be prohibited.
Flight regulators and airlines in the region have been on the alert since a Hong Kong-bound Air Busan plane caught fire before taking off from Gimhae International Airport in January.
The flames were believed to have been ignited by a passenger's portable power bank inside an overhead bin.
The incident prompted a few airlines to ban the use of power banks on board, with some requiring passengers to carry them in plastic zig bags and place them in the seat pocket in front of them, or underneath their seat.
Advertisement
The local Civil Aviation Department did not take action until this month, after an inbound Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou in Zhejiang province was forced to divert to Fuzhou due to a power bank stowed in an overhead compartment that apparently caught fire.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong tourism sector urged to provide packages, discounts for National Games
Hong Kong's tourism sector should consider offering promotional packages including hotel discounts to spectators at the coming National Games, which the city will co-host in November, authorities have said. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said on Monday that a unified ticket sales platform would be used for all Games events to be held in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau, with more details to be announced soon. She said once the Guangdong Provincial Executive Committee had finalised ticketing policies, her bureau would encourage the tourism sector to develop various packages, with a view to attracting mainland Chinese and overseas visitors to attend the Games and explore Hong Kong. 'We have already got in touch with the tourism sector and hope that it can introduce some packages or discounts,' Law told a meeting of the Legislative Council's home affairs, culture and sports panel. 'When the ticketing arrangements are announced, all host cities will work together to tackle issues such as demand exceeding supply and scalping.' Tickets will be available via the official website and mobile applications, as well as offline channels such as official outlets and booths at venues.


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Blink and you're in. Macau launching iris scan immigration for Hongkongers this week
Hongkongers travelling to Macau can speed up immigration clearance using an eye scan starting this week. Authorities in the gaming hub said on Monday eligibility for its iris recognition immigration clearance had been extended to Hong Kong permanent residents who had registered for its automated passenger clearance service. Eligible Hongkongers can begin using the service from noon on Wednesday. Eighty-one iris recognition channels have been installed at six Macau border checkpoints: the Border Gate, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal and Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal. Of these, 71 are equipped with second-generation recognition devices, featuring enhanced face-tracking functions, larger screens and improved voice guidance. Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above can register their iris biometrics when using channels equipped with the registration function for the first time. The process takes about 25 seconds.


The Standard
15 hours ago
- The Standard
Hong Kong businesses must safeguard national interests, says John Lee
HK airport's T2 departure hall set for March 2025 debut, with 15 airlines to move in