An aviation industry veteran has backed a crackdown on portable power banks to reduce the risk of mid-air disasters.

Qantas , QantasLink, Jetstar and Virgin Australia will ban the use of the back-up battery packs on flights in December.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Airlines ban portable power banks on flights.

Passengers will be restricted to carrying two in their carry-on, with each not allowed to exceed 160 watt hours.

They will also need to be stowed close by .

The popular travel items have caused several fires in recent times, including on a Virgin flight in July and a packed Air China flight in October.

Passengers were forced to evacuate an Air Busan plane in January when a fire is sparked in an overhead locker.

Natasha Heap, a former pilot and emergency procedures ins

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