The European Union has implemented a new regulation prohibiting passengers from placing portable batteries, commonly known as power banks, in checked luggage.
This measure, introduced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), aims to enhance flight safety by mitigating the risk of onboard fires caused by overheating or short-circuiting of these devices.
According to Murcia Today, these devices must now be carried in your hand luggage.
To comply with the new safety measures, passengers should follow these guidelines:
- Power banks must be placed in carry-on luggage only and never checked in.
- In general, they cannot exceed a capacity of 100 watt-hours, although some airlines may permit up to 160 watt-hours.
- Each device should be protected individually. This can be done by taping the terminals or placing each power bank in a separate plastic bag.
In addition, passengers are not allowed to charge power banks during the flight or connect them to other devices such as phones or laptops.
These precautions are designed to reduce risks and ensure the safety of everyone on board. This is perhaps the most disruptive rule of all, since many passengers carry these packs specifically to charge up their devices mid-flight. However, it is now strictly prohibited and cabin crew will vigilantly enforce the ban.
