CAAP reminds travelers: Power banks exceeding 160Wh not allowed on flights
Power banks exceeding 160Wh (or 43,243.24mAh) are now strictly banned on flights, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced.
This came after recent aviation incidents where these portable lithium-ion battery packs were suspected of having caused fires on aircraft.
Flight Operations Department head Captain James Conner noted that while these were isolated cases, they serve as reminders for passengers to follow rules on the devices.
CAAP regulations state that power banks are not allowed in checked baggage as they're at risk of overheating. The devices are still permitted in hand-carry luggage.
However, there are limits to its battery capacity. For instance, passengers can bring up to 100Wh or 27,027.03mAh power banks without prior approval. Those who wish to bring 100Wh to 160Wh need approval from the airline before they're allowed on the aircraft.
Meanwhile, those exceeding 160Wh are not allowed on board the aircraft.
At Cebu Pacific, a passenger is allowed a maximum of two power banks, each not exceeding 100Wh and packed individually.
Philippine Airlines also allows passengers to carry up to two 100 to 160Wh battery packs with airline approval.
Earlier in February, South Korea's Air Busan banned passengers from keeping power banks and e-cigarretes in luggage stored in overhead bins after one of its planes caught fire.
On Jan. 28, a fire broke out in an overhead luggage bin in the rear left-hand side of an Air Busan aircraft. This took place as the flight was preparing to depart for Hong Kong. All passengers were safely evacuated.
The cause of the fire, however, was not determined.
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries found in laptops, smartphones, tablets, electronic cigarettes, and power banks.
