Power bank recalls spark airline bans on Anker, Baseus

Sydney, Australia — Airlines from Singapore to Australia tighten rules on carry-on power banks after a spate of product recalls and an inflight fire. SYDNEY, Australia — Travellers packing a power bank for their next long-haul flight out of Sydney, Melbourne or any other Australian gateway may want to pause for a quick safety check. A string of recalls covering tens of thousands of lithium-powered chargers—and one dramatic cabin fire in Asia—has prompted several major carriers, including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines, to introduce or reinforce restrictions on how and when portable batteries can be carried or used onboard.

Recalls surge: 34,000 faulty power banks still in circulation

Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has logged 17 power-bank recalls since 2020, with more than half of them announced in 2024 alone. In total, 34,000 defective units remain unreturned, according to the watchdog’s safety alert. The latest recalls cover well-known global brands such as Anker, Baseus and SnapWireless—the sort of names travellers often trust to keep phones and tablets alive during multi-leg itineraries. Portable chargers typically rely on lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells, the very chemistries that have transformed mobile tech yet can overheat, vent toxic gas or even explode if poorly manufactured or misused. “Consumers should be able to trust that anything they buy through a reputable retailer is OK,” senior project officer Chris Barnes said in an interview distributed by Australian Associated Press (AAP).

Why the sudden uptick?

Amanda Ellis, head of chemical and biomedical engineering at the University of Melbourne, told AAP that booming demand, spotty regulation and opaque battery designs have combined to overwhelm existing safety frameworks. Unlike appliances covered by long-established electrical codes, power banks operate in a regulatory gray zone. Australia has no dedicated battery standard, so importers and retailers juggle voluntary guidelines alongside fragmented transport rules. At the same time, capacity creep has pushed high-watt-hour models into shoppers’ carts. More energy density means more potential heat, especially when bargain-bin suppliers skimp on circuitry that controls charging or discharging rates.

The inflight fire that caught airlines’ attention

The worst-case scenario played out in January when a flight operated by South Korea’s Air Busan made an emergency evacuation after smoke and flames erupted from an overhead locker during climb-out. Investigators believe the source was a passenger’s power bank. All 179 people on board escaped, but the aircraft suffered significant damage. The incident underscored how quickly a smoldering lithium cell can turn a pressurized cabin into a crisis.

Airline policies diverge but trend toward caution

Singapore Airlines has adopted one of the strictest stances. From 1 April 2025, passengers will no longer be allowed to plug power banks into seat-back USB ports or to use the devices to charge phones and tablets inflight. Travellers may still carry units rated up to 100 Wh in cabin baggage without special approval; batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh will require pre-clearance, and anything larger is forbidden. The carrier explained in a customer bulletin that “safety will always be our top priority.” Qantas and Virgin Australia already restrict where and how lithium batteries can travel: non-removable battery suitcases are barred completely, while standalone power banks must ride in carry-on, not checked bags. Terminals must be protected from short circuit, either through original packaging, a plastic pouch or taped contacts. Under Qantas policy, any lithium battery or power bank removed from smart luggage must stay in the cabin.

Quick reference: current airline limits on power banks

• Singapore Airlines: Carry-on only, ≤100 Wh without approval; 100–160 Wh with approval; no inflight charging via seat USB from 1 April 2025.
• Qantas: Carry-on only; non-removable battery luggage banned; terminals protected against short circuit.
• Virgin Australia: Carry-on only; each battery isolated or packaged to prevent contact.
• Air Busan: Overhead-locker storage prohibited; must remain with passenger under seat.

What this means for globetrotters

For the average passenger, the new rules translate into a few extra steps at home and at the gate:

1. Check recall lists before you fly. Search the ACCC Product Safety Australia database if your power bank was purchased since 2020. Refunds or replacements are being offered for all recalled models.
2. Verify watt-hour ratings. Most airlines cap unapproved batteries at 100 Wh. The rating is usually printed on the case; if it shows only milliamp-hours, convert by dividing mAh by 1,000 and multiplying by voltage.
3. Carry it in the cabin, never in checked luggage. In the rare event of thermal runaway, flight crews can respond quickly only if the device is within sight.
4. Shield the terminals. Use the original box, a padded pouch or electrical tape to prevent metal objects from bridging the contacts.
5. Avoid daisy-chain charging. Plugging the power bank into the seat outlet while simultaneously charging another device can stress internal circuitry, a practice several carriers now forbid.
6. Discard damaged units immediately. Swollen cases, odor, leakage or excessive heat are strong indicators the battery should be recycled, not flown.

Behind the scenes: regulation playing catch-up

Mandatory electrical standards exist for wall chargers and household appliances, but lithium power packs slipped through regulatory cracks because they are technically “spare batteries.” Without a compulsory benchmark, quality varies from aerospace-grade cells to bargain-bin imports with little oversight. Barnes warned that regulators are “always playing catch-up with new technologies,” a situation mirrored in other regions where e-scooter and vape-pen incidents have spurred reactive bans rather than proactive standards. Government agencies in Europe and North America are watching Australia’s recall data closely. Because many recalled products come from global brands, an Australian-flagged hazard often foreshadows a wider campaign. For frequent flyers, an item tossed in a backpack in Sydney might trigger questions from security agents in Singapore, Doha or Los Angeles weeks later.

Tips for Travelers: choosing a safer power bank

• Look for independent certification marks such as UL, CE or TUV rather than relying on brand reputation alone.
• Select models with built-in over-temperature, over-charge and short-circuit protection chips—often advertised as “smart” or “multi-protect.”
• Opt for capacities under 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V) to avoid extra paperwork and scrutiny.
• Buy from retailers that publish recall notices and offer clear return policies.
• Register your purchase so you receive direct alerts if the manufacturer issues a recall.

FAQ: power banks and flying

Can I still bring my power bank in carry-on?

Yes, provided it meets size limits and is not on a recall list. All airlines referenced here require power banks to stay in cabin baggage.

Do I need airline approval for larger units?

Yes. Batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh typically need written consent. Anything above 160 Wh is banned on passenger aircraft.

What happens if I leave a power bank in checked luggage?

If discovered during screening, your bag may be opened and the item confiscated. In some jurisdictions you could face fines.

Are wireless-charging power banks riskier?

Not inherently, but some recalled models combine higher wattage with thin cases that dissipate heat poorly. Always follow the same precautions.

Will inflight USB ports be disabled?

Most airlines still allow phones and tablets to plug directly into seat power. Singapore Airlines is specifically banning the recharging of power banks themselves via seat USB from April 2025.

Bottom line

Lithium-powered chargers remain an essential tool for digital nomads, but their convenience comes with responsibilities. With 34,000 faulty units still circulating in Australia alone and inflight policies shifting, travellers should double-check recall notices, watt-hour limits and airline rules before heading to the airport. A minute spent auditing your tech kit can prevent a flight delay—or worse, an emergency evacuation—mid-journey. — as Ellis and Barnes told AAP