Airlines start to ban power banks and spare batteries in safety fears

Airlines start to ban power banks and spare batteries in safety fears View Image

Airlines have begun to completely ban power banks that people use to charge their phones and tablets because of safety fears. In general, power banks are only allowed in carry-on, not checked luggage, amid fears they can explode and catch fire mid-flight.

Now, a number of airlines have banned them from planes entirely. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and now Emirates have banned the batteries. Emirates says, like many airlines, the devices cannot be used in flight. In some circumstances, they will be allowed on planes so long as they are off and kept under your seat - not in the overhead cabin.

The new Emirates rules start on October 1.

Giuseppe Capanna, of Electrical Safety First , said: "Lithium-ion ba