22-07-2025
Virgin could update in-flight battery use policy following aircraft fire
A woman charges her phone with a portable charger while waiting at an airport. Shutterstock
By Sarah Falson
Updated July 22 2025 - 2:03pm, first published 12:58pm Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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Flight VA1528 landed safely at Hobart Airport on Monday after a fire in an overhead locker was discovered during the aircraft's descent.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said the airline had initiated an investigation into the fire that originated from a passenger's carry-on luggage stored overhead.
"This investigation, conducted with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is ongoing," the spokesperson said.
"Any relevant findings from this investigation may inform permanent changes to our battery policy to ensure the safety of our guests and team members."
The cause of the fire is believed to be a power bank in a passenger's bag.
A portable charger. Picture by Gomi/Unsplash
As a precautionary measure, Virgin Australia is conducting a simultaneous review of the carriage and use of power banks on board.
They have also asked that guests travelling with power banks keep them within sight and easily accessible at all times throughout the flight.
They are encouraging guests not to use power banks to charge devices while on board.
The current policy states all guests travelling with power banks are required to carry them into the cabin.
Other airlines followed suit with their own power bank rules including Singapore Airlines and its Scoot subsidiary, EVA Air, Korean Airlines, China Airlines, Thai Airways and Asiana Airlines.
FCM Travel (owned by Flight Centre) general manager ANZ Renos Rologas told ACM (the publisher of this masthead) in April it was only a matter of time before other airlines followed suit.
"There has long been concern of the safety and reliability of portable chargers, and we're starting to see carriers take extra precautions beyond the aviation industry's current requirements," Mr Rologas said.
Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.
My top travel tip is … Don't plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what's within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
