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Passengers on Australia’s major airlines will face new rules on the use of power banks, as Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar update their guidelines starting next month.
The move comes as safety concerns over the use of the devices has prompted airlines and regulators to act.
Starting on December 1, passengers on Virgin Australia will not be able to use power banks - the small, self-contained battery packs used to charge phones and other devices - on flights. Starting on December 15, Qantas has announced the same restrictions in tandem with Virgin, which will affect Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar planes.
Passengers on Australia’s major airlines will face new rules on the use of power banks, as Virgin, Qantas and Jetstar update their guidelines.Credit: Getty Images
While passengers can still carry “power banks, spare batteries and small portable electronic devices” they must “be easily accessible throughout the flight”.
Virgin and Qantas airlines will also limit the number of power banks passengers can carry to two.
“Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices,” said Virgin Australia chief operations officer Chris Snook. The changes for Virgin will be effective on December 1.
A fire breaks out on a Virgin flight.Credit: Credit: Pulse Tasmania.
Awareness of power bank risks on flights has risen as more cases of the devices overheating and catching fire emerge and are documented.
Virgin says it has in-seat charging ports in 88 per cent of its Boeing 737 fleet, with the remainder to be equipped by June 2026. All of Virgin Australia’s new Embraer 190-E2 aircraft have in-seat chargers.
“Safety is, and always will be, Virgin Australia’s number one priority,” said Snook. “These updates are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest levels of safety and compliance with international aviation standards.”
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Qantas said it introduced the restrictions after a safety review.
“Due to the growing use of power banks by travellers and the associated safety risks of damaged or defective lithium battery-powered devices, the changes follow a comprehensive internal safety review in recent months and work with other industry representatives including Virgin Australia, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Oneworld carriers,” Qantas said.
Despite the growing attention placed on power banks in aviation, many passengers don’t realise the potential for fire risk the devices can present.
Half of airline passengers incorrectly believe packing small lithium-powered devices in checked luggage is safe, according to a poll released in October by the International Air Transport Association.
Nearly one half of those polled - 45 per cent - think packing power banks in checked luggage is safe, while one-third think there are no limits on the number of power banks or spare batteries a passenger can travel with.
More to come
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