Flight safety has always been a bit of a beast, with personal items such as larger volumes of liquid, aerosol sprays, lighters, sharp objects, electronic devices, and more not being allowed in hand-carry bags or being banned from flights altogether. Soon, Hong Kong travellers will have another thing to add to the list of packing requirements, as the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is set to prohibit passengers from using or charging portable power banks during flights.
This regulation will kick in from April 7, and also bans power banks from being stored in overhead compartments. This means that travellers carrying power banks will have to keep them in their hand-carry luggage stowed under their seats, or have them tucked in the seat pockets while their bags are stored overhead. In doing so, power banks can be more easily monitored by airline crew and passengers, and any safety issues can be dealt with more efficiently.
The decision comes after a series of recent flight mishaps suspected to be related to these portable electronic devices. In January, a fire broke out on an Air Busan flight bound for Hong Kong. Seven people were injured but luckily, the accident happened as the plane was just preparing to take off, so everyone was evacuated safely. Just last week on March 20, a Hong Kong Airlines flight en route from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Fuzhou after a fire broke out in an overhead compartment approximately 15 minutes into the flight. The cabin crew were able to put out the flames with bottled water and juices, and no injuries were reported, but the overhead compartment was significantly charred and damaged.
In both incidents, the suspected cause was portable power banks. These usually contain lithium-ion batteries, which can run the risk of overheating and catching fire under certain conditions. Airlines have already banned lithium-ion batteries from check-in luggage for years, but restrictions will be even tighter going forward.
Hong Kong’s decision follows several airlines that have also prohibited power banks from being used in-flight. These include Singapore Airlines, Scoot, China Airlines, Thai Airways, Tigerair Taiwan, and Air Busan. Passengers are encouraged to consult their respective airlines for the latest regulations regarding power banks before travelling.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox
Recommended reading:
The Hong Kong cultural experiences to check out before they disappear
World Happiness Report 2025: Hong Kong hits record low at 88th place
Asia’s first Time Out Market opens in Osaka – here’s what to expect