THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has announced efforts to strengthen airline awareness regarding hazardous materials, particularly power banks, carried onboard aircraft.
As part of the initiative, airlines will be responsible for informing, guiding, and educating passengers on the proper handling of potentially dangerous items.
This measure aims to address concerns following recent aviation incidents where power banks were suspected to have caused onboard fires.
Captain James Conner, head of CAAP’s Flight Operations Department, stated that while such cases remain isolated, they serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of complying with aviation safety regulations.
He emphasized that passengers must strictly adhere to airline-imposed safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.
Under CAAP regulations, power banks—classified as portable lithium-ion battery devices—are strictly prohibited in checked baggage due to risks of overheating and potential fire hazards.
Passengers are allowed to bring them in hand-carry luggage under the following conditions:
- Power banks up to 100Wh (watt-hours) may be carried onboard without prior approval.
- Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval before being brought on board.
- Power banks exceeding 160Wh are strictly prohibited on flights.
Travelers are encouraged to check their power bank capacity and follow airline policies to avoid inconvenience.
Several international airlines have also tightened restrictions.
Taiwan’s EVA Air has banned the inflight use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries since March 1.
Meanwhile, Korean-owned airlines have prohibited storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins.