Vietnam Airlines bans the use of power banks on planes

Spare batteries are included in the list of products prohibited from use on Vietnam Airlines planes. Photo: VNA .

In the recently updated flight regulations, Vietnam Airlines noted that users are not allowed to bring spare batteries on board as checked baggage. At the same time, the above product must be taken out of the bag and placed in an easily visible place next to the passenger.

Device owners are also not allowed to use spare batteries during the flight. Specifically, the airline prohibits charging the product using the plane's USB port. Charging other devices such as computers and phones using spare batteries is also not allowed.

“Each battery needs to be individually protected and completely shut down to avoid activation,” the airline noted.

Regulations on transporting power banks on Vietnam Airlines aircraft.

Recently, many airlines in the region have also updated their regulations, restricting the use of power banks. On March 7, Thailand's Thai Airways International banned the use of the products on all flights due to fire and explosion concerns. The Bangkok Post reported that the requirement took effect from March 15. Similarly, Malaysia's Air Asia has also banned the devices.

In South Korea, Air Busan has banned passengers from storing power banks in overhead bins to prevent fires and to be able to handle incidents. The measure was taken after a fire caused by a power bank on a flight carrying 176 passengers to Hong Kong (China) injured seven people in late January.

According to Yonhap , after the incident, South Korea has implemented new regulations for products on domestic flights. Passengers must put power banks and e-cigarettes in transparent plastic bags, with exposed terminals covered. They are also prohibited from charging these devices using USB ports on board.

Lithium in the structure of lithium-ion batteries is an alkaline metal, which is flammable. In addition, defects in the manufacturing and use process can also cause the product to degrade and spontaneously combust. In addition, battery fires are often very difficult to extinguish by conventional methods.