Emirates bans use of energy banks in-flight

From October 1, 2025

Dubai-based Emirates airline has introduced a brand new security coverage prohibiting using energy banks throughout flights, with the measure set to take impact on October 1, 2025. The choice follows a worldwide improve in incidents involving lithium batteries onboard plane.

Passengers on Emirates flights will probably be allowed to hold one energy financial institution, but it surely should meet particular security situations. The facility financial institution should not exceed a capability of 100 watt-hours and should stay switched off and saved within the cabin, both within the seat pocket or underneath the seat in entrance.

Use of the gadget for charging telephones, tablets, or different electronics throughout flight is not going to be permitted. Charging the facility financial institution itself by way of the plane’s energy provide will even be banned.

Emirates has not but indicated whether or not the coverage may prolong to different private charging gadgets in future. For now, passengers are suggested to depend on in-seat energy retailers and keep away from carrying uncertified or high-capacity energy banks whereas travelling.

The airline stated it could start informing passengers in regards to the new guidelines by way of reserving channels, check-in counters, and onboard bulletins forward of the October 1, 2025, implementation date.

Rising dangers

Emirates’ new coverage comes because the airline responds to the rising dangers posed by lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. These batteries, generally present in client electronics and moveable chargers, are susceptible to overheating, particularly when broken or poorly manufactured. If a battery overheats, it could possibly enter what is named “thermal runaway,” a self-accelerating response that may result in fireplace, explosion, or poisonous fuel launch.

A number of airways world wide have additionally applied restrictions or outright bans on using energy banks because of security considerations linked to lithium-ion batteries. Carriers comparable to China Southern Airways and Singapore Airways prohibit the use or charging of energy banks throughout flights. Nonetheless, they might permit them to be carried in cabin baggage underneath particular situations.

Airways in China, together with China Jap and Air China, implement stricter controls, usually requiring prior approval for larger-capacity gadgets. Most international carriers, together with British Airways and Delta, ban energy banks in checked baggage and require seen labelling of battery capability scores.

Based on knowledge from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over 70 incidents involving lithium batteries had been reported on plane globally in 2023. In lots of instances, energy banks had been the supply. Trade specialists have warned that the growing reliance on moveable battery packs throughout air journey has outpaced the protection measures designed initially to control them.

Strict security protocols

Center East carriers, together with Emirates, have traditionally maintained strict security protocols because of excessive regional passenger volumes and long-haul flight operations. Emirates’ determination displays broader considerations throughout the aviation business about using uncertified or poorly made energy banks. Many of those gadgets, particularly cheaper fashions, lack inside safeguards that stop overcharging, a function usually discovered in additional superior electronics comparable to smartphones.

The UAE’s Normal Civil Aviation Authority has beforehand issued advisories relating to the dealing with of lithium-powered gadgets in flight, urging each passengers and airways to stay vigilant.

Emirates’ newest transfer alerts a extra proactive regulatory shift as demand for private energy sources continues to develop. The service’s passengers are reminded that putting energy banks in checked baggage stays prohibited, as per worldwide aviation security requirements. All gadgets should additionally show seen capability markings for verification.

The danger related to lithium battery fires is compounded by the issue of extinguishing such blazes mid-flight. Conventional fireplace extinguishers usually are not all the time efficient towards battery fires, which require specialised response strategies. By mandating storage inside simple attain, Emirates goals to permit cabin crew faster entry to any overheating gadgets throughout an emergency.

The coverage applies throughout Emirates’ international community, together with routes connecting Dubai to main locations in Africa and the Center East. Emirates carried over 47 million passengers in 2024, in response to the Worldwide Air Transport Affiliation, making it one of many area’s busiest carriers. The airline’s stance is predicted to affect different Gulf carriers as security considerations round in-cabin lithium battery use proceed to escalate.

The Worldwide Civil Aviation Group has additionally pushed for harmonised international guidelines on lithium batteries. Present tips allow restricted carriage of spare lithium batteries in cabin baggage however permit airways discretion on particular use insurance policies.

Picture: Credit score: Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries, generally present in client electronics and moveable chargers, are susceptible to overheating, particularly when broken or poorly manufactured. Credit score: Debraj Roy