Authorities in Hong Kong, aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), have implemented new regulations concerning lithium battery power banks following a concerning rise in onboard fires. Travelers are now restricted to carrying no more than two power banks per person on all flights, and usage of these devices is prohibited during flights.
This change comes in response to a 42% increase in onboard power bank fires reported earlier this year. Notably, incidents included a January 2024 fire on an Air Busan aircraft during takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea. The passengers and crew evacuated safely, but seven individuals sustained injuries.
Further investigations indicated that a portable power bank may have exploded in an overhead luggage compartment. Two months later, a Hong Kong Airlines flight to Hong Kong was compelled to make an emergency landing in Fuzhou, mainland China, after an overhead compartment fire suspected to be caused by a power bank.
In an effort to enhance aviation safety, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department announced the new rules, emphasizing the need for stricter control of lithium battery devices onboard. These measures aim to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew alike.
