Singapore Airlines and Scoot Implement a Complete Ban on Power Bank Usage During Flights, Prioritizing Passenger Safety from April 2025

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In a crucial step towards ensuring flight safety, Singapore Airlines and its budget carrier Scoot have announced a new policy that will prohibit the use and charging of power banks during flights, effective April 1, 2025. The policy comes as part of ongoing efforts to address concerns over the risks associated with lithium battery-powered devices in the aviation industry.

The updated guidelines, announced on March 12, 2025, clarify that passengers will no longer be allowed to charge their personal devices with power banks or recharge the power banks through onboard USB ports. This decision is grounded in compliance with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which classify power banks as lithium batteries that pose a potential fire hazard.

Under the new rules, power banks can still be carried in cabin baggage, but they will continue to be prohibited in checked luggage. Power banks with a capacity up to 100Wh will be permitted without requiring special approval, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh will require prior airline approval.

This policy follows a 2023 incident aboard a flight at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, where a power bank overheated and caught fire, resulting in injuries to two passengers. The incident raised serious safety concerns, prompting airlines to reassess their protocols to mitigate such risks.

By implementing this restriction, Singapore Airlines and Scoot are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of passengers, in line with international regulations. The airlines have committed to further enhancing their safety procedures and remain vigilant in preventing similar occurrences.