This is why power banks can’t go into check-in luggage

WE sometimes wonder why seemingly harmless power banks are not allowed to be packed with check-in luggage during flights, but an incident where a device caught fire in an airplane cabin earlier this week explains it all.

In a statement on Chinese microblogging site Weibo, the airlines said passengers were boarding flight CZ3539 when smoke and fire was seen coming from a passenger’s bag in the overhead bin, according to Channel News Asia.

The airline said the fire was doused with the help of a cabin crew member and a passenger, using a bottle of orange juice. Fortunately, the swift action prevented further damage.

It added the passenger who owned the bag was taken in by police for questioning while preliminary investigations found that the device was not in use at the time of the fire.

After a three-hour delay, the passengers were boarded on another aircraft that left Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 2.53pm China time.

Power banks contain Lithium-ion batteries that are used in electronic devices such as handphones and laptops and personal mobility devices like e-scooters. Due to the fire risks, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has banned the items as cargo on passenger aircraft.

However, power banks are allowed in the cabin with restrictions on their quantities and are usually subject to inspection before passengers board a flight.

The post This is why power banks can’t go into check-in luggage appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.

Source: travelwireasia.com