New Air Travel Regulations Target Lithium Battery Risks
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has implemented new regulations effective June 4, introducing stricter safety protocols for carrying power banks on aircraft. These measures aim to mitigate risks associated with lithium batteries and align with international aviation safety standards.
Power Banks Restricted to Cabin Baggage
Under the new regulation, Regulation No. 122 on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft, power banks are exclusively permitted in cabin baggage and are strictly prohibited from checked luggage. This applies to spare lithium batteries and power banks commonly used for charging portable electronic devices such as phones and tablets.
Passengers are permitted to carry devices with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours (Wh), equivalent to approximately 20,000 milliampere-hours (mAh). For devices with capacities ranging between 100Wh and 160Wh, passengers must obtain prior approval from the airline. Each passenger is limited to carrying a maximum of two power banks.
In-Flight Usage Now Prohibited
Crucially, passengers are now forbidden from charging their power banks using onboard power sources or using power banks to charge other electronic devices during a flight. This new directive aims to prevent potential hazards during air travel.
The regulation also mandates that power banks must remain easily accessible throughout the journey. They cannot be stored in overhead compartments and must be kept on the passenger, in a seat pocket, or stowed beneath the seat in front.
Addressing Lithium Battery Safety Concerns
CAAT officials stated that these enhanced safety measures were prompted by concerns over potential overheating, smoke emission, or fire ignition incidents linked to lithium batteries. Such incidents can occur if batteries are damaged, improperly stored, or misused.
The regulator highlighted a series of past incidents involving power banks on commercial flights. These include a notable cabin fire on an Air Busan flight in South Korea last year, which investigators suggested might have been caused by a power bank stored improperly in an overhead compartment. Similar incidents have also been reported on flights operated by other carriers, including IndiGo, Bangkok Airways, and Thai AirAsia.
Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, director of CAAT, commented that while lithium batteries and power banks are now commonplace for air travelers, damaged or mishandled devices pose a direct threat to flight safety.
Verification and Protection Requirements
The new rules also stipulate that power banks must clearly display their electrical capacity. Devices with unverified specifications or those lacking capacity information are now prohibited.
Passengers are strongly advised to take precautions to prevent short circuits by keeping their power banks in their original packaging or within protective pouches while traveling.
