Aussie airlines to ban use and charging of power banks on flights

Passengers aboard Virgin Australia flights will not be allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices from Dec 1. The ban will also take effect on other Australian carriers such as Qantas, Qantas-Link and Jetstar from Dec 15.

- BNB Diviyadhaarshini

The ban applies to all international and domestic flights operated by these airlines, with no exemptions. This comes after a power bank caught fire in an overhead compartment on board a Virgin Australia flight in July.

These efforts seek to reduce risks associated with defective lithium battery-powered devices, said the airlines.

In an announcement on Nov 21, the airlines said power banks will still be allowed on the flights and will have to be placed somewhere easily accessible, such as under the seat in front or in the seat pocket.

The devices can be stored in the overhead compartment on Qantas flights but not on Virgin Australia journeys.