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Passengers planning to travel with Singapore Airlines (SIA) or Scoot flights have been warned they are no longer allowed to use power banks to charge their personal devices during their journeys. This restriction has been in effect since April 1. In a Facebook post published earlier this year, SIA said that passengers will also not be allowed to use these items due to safety concerns.

"The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association's Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries," said SIA. "This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage." It added that its customers may carry power banks with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hour (Wh) on its planes, without special approval, but those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval. Scoot, the budget arm of SIA, also released a similar statement on its own Facebook page.

The concern stems from the nature of the devices, using lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which can overheat via a process known as thermal runaway. When this occurs, the battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate, which can lead to fires, explosions and the release of harmful gases.

While many smartphones have built-in protections to prevent overcharging, some power banks lack these safety features, increasing the risk onboard.

In 2023, two passengers aboard a Scoot flight from Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan to Singapore were injured after a power bank overheated and caught fire.

This move comes as Emirates recently announced its own ban on the use of power banks during flights due to increasing safety concerns. From October 1, 2025, passengers will no longer be allowed to use these devices while in-flight. Under the new rules, passengers can carry one power bank with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, but it must remain switched off throughout the flight. Charging power banks using the aircraft's power outlets will also be prohibited.

Other airlines, including Thai Airways, South Korean Airlines, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, and China Airlines, have also issued bans.

In its statement, Emirates said: "After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

"Emirates' new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft," it added.