Muscat: From October 1, 2025, Emirates flights will prohibit the use of any kind of power bank. A power bank is a portable, rechargeable device that is mostly used to power other electrical gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Emirates passengers are still allowed to bring one power bank on board, subject to the following restrictions, but the power banks may not be used in the aircraft cabin to charge other devices or be charged themselves using the aircraft's power source.
Emirates' new policies include:
Emirates passengers are permitted to bring one power bank with a capacity of less than 100 Watt Hours.
Power banks cannot be used to charge any personal gadgets aboard.
Charging a power bank from the airplane's electricity supply is prohibited.
All power banks carried must have capacity rating information accessible.
Power banks are not permitted in the aircraft's overhead stowage compartment; instead, they must be stored in the seat pocket or in a luggage beneath the seat in front of you.
Power banks are not allowed in checked luggage (current rule).
Why is Emirates making this change?
Following a thorough safety assessment, Emirates is taking a bold and aggressive strategy to manage the risk associated with power banks on board. In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the number of passengers using power banks, which has led in an increase in lithium battery-related events on flights throughout the aviation business.
Power banks mostly use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries and serve as a portable battery pack capable of recharging gadgets on the go. The batteries include lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. As the battery charges and discharges, ions flow through the electrolyte, moving back and forth between two electrodes. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may cause 'thermal runaway. ' Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process in which heat production inside a battery cell surpasses its ability to dissipate heat, resulting in a fast and uncontrollable temperature rise. This can have terrible implications, including fire, explosion, and the emission of hazardous chemicals.
The majority of cellphones and advanced lithium batterypowered gadgets include an internal trickle system that gradually delivers current into the battery to avoid overcharging, but many basic power banks may lack this feature, increasing the danger. Emirates' new regulations apply to all power banks.
Emirates' new rules will considerably reduce the hazards connected with power banks by restricting their use on board the aircraft. Keeping power banks in easily accessible parts of the cabin guarantees that, in the unlikely event of a fire, properly trained cabin staff can immediately respond and put it out.
Safety is one of Emirates' fundamental principles, underpinning all of its operations and activities. The airline is dedicated to continuously maintaining and improving safety standards, ensuring the protection of passengers and workers at all times.
