Singapore Limits Airline Passengers To Two Power Banks

By Anas Abu Hassan

SINGAPORE, April 6 (Bernama) -- Passengers departing Singapore will only be allowed to carry a maximum of two power banks per person on board flights starting April 15, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

In a statement on Monday, CAAS said passengers carrying more than two power banks will be required to dispose of the excess before the flight.

"Power banks must also not be charged on board the aircraft, and passengers are advised not to use power banks to charge their devices during the flight," it said.

The new CAAS restrictions follow an addendum to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on April 2, which updated safety requirements for the carriage and use of power banks on board aircraft.

"Lithium batteries in power banks can overheat or short-circuit, posing a fire and safety hazard on board flights.

"ICAO’s new requirement of a maximum of two power banks per passenger and restrictions on the charging and use of power banks on board flights seek to reduce the risk of fire while catering for passengers' travelling needs," CAAS said.

CAAS Director of Flight Standards Foong Ling Huei said the new requirements will help reduce the risk of fires caused by power banks on board flights.

"We urge all passengers to familiarise themselves and comply with the new requirements, for their own safety and the safety of other passengers,” he noted.

-- BERNAMA