Power banks will be banned from being used on major Aussie airlines in a bid to avoid horrific fires and other alarming incidents seen locally and around the world.
Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar and Virgin have set new rules surrounding the popular travel item which begins next month.
Passengers will be limited to two power banks each, but anything over 160 watt-hours will be prohibited. They cannot be charged either.
The devices will also need to be within reach of the traveller, either in the seat pocket under the seat or overhead locker. Virgin has banned it from being in the latter.
It means passengers can only charge devices by in-seat USB/power ports.
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The airlines have been forced to bring in the new measures following alarming domestic incidents in recent months.
In July, passengers were left horrified when a power bank stored in an overhead compartment of a Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart caught fire.
Smoke started to fill the cabin just 10 minutes from landing.
Once the plane landed, and passengers disembarked, one worker at the airport recalled a passenger saying there was a “funny smell” before a “small ball of fire” was witnessed when the overhead compartment was opened.
While earlier this month, a man in his 50s was left with burns to his legs and fingers when a lithium battery in his pocket ignited at a Qantas business lounge.
Smoke filled the area and forced the evacuation of some 150 travellers from the exclusive area at Melbourne International Airport.
Overseas, an Air China flight had to make an emergency landing in October when a lithium battery caught fire in an overhead compartment.
Then in January an Air Busan flight bound for Hong Kong burst into flames when a portal charger, also in an overhead compartment, exploded at South Korea’s Gimhae Airport.
All passengers and crew safely evacuated down the emergency slides of the plane.
The aircraft, however, was destroyed by the fire.
In the last two decades, the Federal Aviation Administration has reported more than 500 in-flight incidents relating to lithium batteries and power banks.
Virgin Australia’s chief operations officer Chris Snook said the new safety changes match what other international airlines have enforced.
“Globally, more lithium battery-powered devices are now being carried by travellers, and while these items are generally safe when packed and handled appropriately, this move will minimise any potential risks associated with these devices,” she said.
Qantas said its rules comes after a comprehensive internal safety review and work with industry representatives.
The new measures kick off for Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar from December 15 and Virgin on December 1.
Passengers will hear about the rules in-flight from Friday.
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