Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot announced a ban on power bank use during flights starting April 1, 2025. The airlines cited safety concerns in their Facebook posts on March 12, 2025.
Passengers will no longer be allowed to charge their devices with power banks or charge power banks via onboard USB ports during flights. This policy follows the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which classify power banks as lithium batteries.
Power banks must still be carried in cabin baggage as they are not permitted in checked luggage. SIA specified that customers may bring power banks with capacity up to 100Wh without special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
The decision comes after several in-flight fire incidents worldwide. In 2023, two passengers on a Scoot flight at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport were injured when a power bank overheated and caught fire. Recently, a Batik Air flight video showed cabin smoke reportedly from a burning power bank in an overhead compartment.
In January 2025, an Air Busan plane caught fire while preparing for departure at South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport, reportedly due to a power bank. The US Federal Aviation Administration reported three incidents of overheating lithium batteries on planes within two weeks in 2024, compared to approximately one incident per week in 2018.
Other carriers have implemented similar restrictions. AirAsia and Thai Airways have banned power bank use during flights, while several South Korean airlines have restricted in-flight power bank charging and placed limits on overhead storage.
Some passengers have expressed concerns about the new policy. One parent commented on SIA’s Facebook post about difficulties keeping children entertained during long flights and suggested upgrading to USB-C ports for more efficient device charging.
Additional information about baggage restrictions is available on SIA’s website.
