Virgin Australia is reassessing its policies regarding portable power banks after a mid-air fire incident on one of its flights. This review comes amid a series of similar occurrences on flights worldwide, raising concerns about safety regulations. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is expected to release a report on the Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart, where a power bank ignited in an overhead compartment in July.

This incident is part of a troubling trend. Recently, an Air China flight had to make an emergency landing in Shanghai due to a lithium battery fire. Earlier this year, an Air Busan aircraft was destroyed at Gimhae Airport in South Korea after a power bank caught fire.

A Virgin Australia spokesperson stated that the airline is currently "reviewing the carriage and use of power banks on board," and that changes are already being implemented. The spokesperson advised passengers traveling with power banks to keep them visible and easily accessible throughout the flight.

One passenger who experienced the fire described seeing a "ball of fire" emerge from the overhead locker as crew members and other travelers attempted to extinguish the flames with water. "We were about 10 minutes from landing and the smoke smell was awful. We had to cover our noses and mouths until we touched down," the passenger recounted.

Teri O'Toole, federal secretary of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA), has called for stricter regulations regarding the use of power banks on flights. "Any fire on an aircraft is dangerous. You're 40,000 feet in the air in an aluminum tube full of fuel … the last thing you ever want is a fire," she said. O'Toole emphasized that cabin crew are the first responders in such situations and that enhancing safety measures should be a priority.

The ATSB reported that there have been five in-flight fires involving power banks on Australian or Australian-registered aircraft since 2016. In response to safety concerns, several international airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Korean Air, have banned the use of power banks on flights this year. Emirates recently cited a significant increase in incidents related to lithium batteries as the reason for its ban.

The FAAA is urging the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mandate that power banks be stored in visible locations. O'Toole stated, "You can't realistically ban power banks, but you can handle them safely. Keep them where you can see them and act quickly if something goes wrong."

CASA, which sets aviation safety regulations, is closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson for CASA said, "It's something we're keeping a very close eye on and discussing with our international counterparts." Airlines are required to report any incidents involving power banks to the ATSB.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported a 92% increase in incidents involving lithium batteries from 2020 to 2022. The ACCC noted that the average traveler now carries at least four lithium battery devices. Since 2020, the ACCC has issued 17 recalls of power banks, warning that around 34,000 defective chargers remain in use. ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe stated, "Some consumers have suffered serious burn injuries, and some have had their property damaged because of power banks overheating and catching fire."

Passengers are allowed to bring power banks on Australian commercial flights, but they must be kept in carry-on luggage. Qantas and Jetstar recommend that passengers keep their power banks within reach. For Virgin Australia, the use of power banks is currently under review, and passengers are required to keep them easily accessible during the flight.

Policies regarding power banks vary among airlines. Several carriers in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions have banned their use or restricted their storage in overhead bins. It is advisable for travelers to check their airline's specific policy before flying.

Power banks can ignite due to faults in lithium-ion batteries, damage, or overheating, with cheaper or poorly made devices being particularly at risk. They are not permitted in checked baggage due to the fire hazard posed by lithium batteries. If a battery malfunctions in the cargo hold, it can be difficult for crew to detect and extinguish the flames. In the cabin, however, passengers and crew can respond quickly if a device begins to smoke or overheat, which is why airlines require power banks to be carried in carry-on luggage only.