Powerbank Incident Prompts airline Scrutiny of Lithium Battery Policies
A passenger received medical treatment after a powerbank overheated and ignited at the Qantas International Business Lounge in Melbourne Airport on Thursday evening. the lounge was briefly evacuated as a precaution while emergency services responded to the incident.Qantas has confirmed it is indeed reviewing its policies regarding passengers carrying lithium batteries and will release an update soon.
This incident adds to a growing list of concerns surrounding the safety of lithium-powered devices on aircraft. In July, a fire broke out in an overhead locker on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart, prompting the airline to re-evaluate its powerbank policy. Earlier this year, in January, an Air Busan plane preparing for takeoff in South Korea caught fire due to a powerbank igniting in an overhead compartment, resulting in 27 injuries. Following this event, South Korea implemented nationwide restrictions on powerbanks in March.
The issue is gaining international attention. Emirates banned the use of powerbanks on its entire fleet last month, limiting passengers to carrying only one device onboard. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing 350 airlines worldwide, is now funding a public awareness campaign to highlight the risks associated with lithium batteries.
Recent IATA polling reveals significant passenger misunderstanding regarding the safe transport of these devices, with half of respondents incorrectly believing it is safe to pack small lithium-powered devices in checked luggage. IATA advises passengers to only carry these devices when essential and to closely monitor them for damage or overheating, promptly alerting flight crew to any concerns.
